Staying on Your Path of Righteousness/Obedience (Week 2)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 & Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV)
The Lord wants to instruct us in every area of our life. He does not want us basing our decisions on what other people are doing or what other people say is good. James 4:12 says there is only one Lawgiver and Judge. God is the only person equipped to judge if something is good or not. We can be confident if it lines up with the word, it is good because God has said it is good. However, there are many choices that arise in life that are not written in the Word. These choices will ultimately bring life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Our only confidence in these decisions should be from the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 3:26). We can use the worlds standards to judge our decisions, but we will not be able to be confident in the results. Some people are choosing to be missionaries, start churches, give money/food to people, etc. The truth is, if the Lord has not told them to do these things, then they are on dangerous ground. They could be the man that is following the way that seems right, but ends in the way of death. This is because they have not sought the Lord’s direction to find their path of righteousness/obedience. Instead they are following the way of the good man. Just because your heart says it’s good and desires to do it, does not mean you should do it (Jeremiah 17:9). David desired to build a temple for the Lord, but it was not the Lord’s will for David to build it. (2 Samuel 7:1-7). The Lord said that David’s unborn son was to build the temple (2 Samuel 7:12-13). If David would have built the temple, he would have been in sin. He would have opened the door for the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy in his life, his family, and more (John 10:10). The next time you think something is good, stop and ask the Lord what He thinks. He will give you the wisdom to know how to proceed with confidence that you will make the right decision to walk your path of righteousness or obedience. (James 1:5)
