The Way

The Way

Proverbs 14:12

Choices! Life is filled with choices. Every day, we make decisions - some small, inconsequential (should I wear my blue shoes, or my brown shoes?)... others not so small, and life-changing (will you marry me?).

Sometimes it’s difficult to know which choice to make in life. The loving choice is not always the easy choice. And the easy choice is not always the loving choice.

How do we know that we’re on the right path?

Proverbs warns us that not everything that seems right is necessarily good. Sometimes, what appears to be the best way can eventually lead to heartache and destruction.

As we engage this truth from God’s Word, my hope is that you and I will consider how we can walk on the path that leads to life rather than the path that leads death.

Of course, in fairly “cut-and-dried” - no “beating around the bush” style, we’re told, “there is a way that appears to be right...” In other words, worldly wisdom, apart from God’s will, can be deceiving.

We’re often encouraged (by well intended people) to just follow our hearts, to trust our feelings, and do what seems best in our own eyes. But just like a Facebook or Instagram profile picture, things are not always as they appear. Appearances can be deceiving. That’s why the Word of God repeatedly tells us that human reasoning, human understanding... when disconnected from God Word, is flawed, and can’t be trusted.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

Jeremiah 17:9 us that “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Why would we choose to trust something that the Bible calls “deceitful... and desperately wicked?”

What the world calls right, and what may even feel right to us (in the moment) may not align with God’s will... God’s purposes.

You and I, as followers of Christ, are called to be cautious when it comes to relying on our own understanding, and our emotions. You and I have been called to be people of the Word. The Word of God. Scripture alone is the rule and guide for our life. Not our feelings, our emotions, nor the world’s opinions. Only God’s Word.

Of course, our verse from Proverbs continues: “there is a way that seems right... but in the end it leads to death.” This it’s important to understand: the idea here isn’t just physical death but also spiritual destruction - separation from God.

There are lots of things that “seem right” but lead to separation from God (death):

1. Moral Relativism is one: The idea that “right and wrong” are somehow subjective (and based on opinions... in other words. My feelings dictate what I consider to be right/wrong... or what’s wrong for you may not be wrong for me) leads people away from God’s truth, and leads to death, as God’s Word says.

2. Self-Righteousness is another: We all fall prey to self-righteousness at times. Relying on good works or “religiosity” rather than on Christ, and his redeeming work on the cross as wholly sufficient, and the only thing necessary for our salvation.

3. What about Pride and self-dependence: Living without acknowledging God, thinking we can handle life on our own. Believing that we don’t need anyone or anything except ourselves. Me. Myself. I. We’ve talked time and time again about the formula for living a blessed and happy life in Christ is as simple as JOY. Keeping Jesus first, putting others second, and keeping you last! It certainly helps to shield us from the dangers of pride and arrogance.

4. Worldly Success can also cause separation from God: Life, the good life, is about much more than the pursuit of wealth, power and pleasure. Pursuing wealth, power, or pleasure as the ultimate goal, rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God - we may never know the joy of relationships, and love, and grace.

Didn’t Jesus say (in Matthew 7:13-14) that wide is the way that leads to destruction, but the narrow is the way that leads to life. Many follow the broad road because it seems easier, but in the end, it brings ruin.

If our own ways lead to destruction, how can we find the right path? The answer is simple: we must follow God’s way, not our own.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

John 14:6, Jesus said very, very clearly, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Jesus is the only Way... the only path God intended to bring us to life! There’s simply no other! When we surrender to Him, we are led by His Spirit, not our own flawed reasoning. The Bible becomes our guide, and the Holy Spirit directs our steps.

Our lesson for today from Proverbs may sound like a warning... but it’s also a comforting invitation. God wants us to avoid the deceptive ways of this world... and walk in His truth. When faced with choices in this life, you and I should always ask:

~ Am I following my own wisdom or God’s wisdom?

~ Am I choosing to do whatever it is I’m deciding on, for the glory of God... to honor him and to bring praise to him... or am I doing it for my own glory and my own benefit.

~ Have I truly, and completely surrendered my will, to the will of God?

As you and I honestly and intentionally seek the Lord in everything we do, trust in His Word, and allow Him to guide our steps... we will find that we’re on the right path... the path that leads to eternal, abundant life in Christ.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that our own ways can lead us astray. Help us to trust You completely, seek Your wisdom, and walk in the path that leads to life. Keep us from deception and draw us closer to You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.