Detour – Ther's A Muddy Road Ahead

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DETOUR – THER’S A MUDDY ROAD AHEAD"

PROV. 14:12-16

When I was a boy (I guess I’m telling my age now), there was a popular song that had the title "Detour, there’s a muddy road ahead". There is some wonderful advice in the words of that song. The Word of God is just filled with warnings about the dangers on the road of life we choose to follow.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man from himself. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent looketh well to his going. Proverbs 14:12-16 (AV)

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There’s a road of life that looks harmless enough to follow but look again—it leads straight to destruction. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace. The gullible believe anything they’re told; the prudent person watches very carefully the road they choose to follow.

THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE IS ABOUT LOOKING VERY CAREFULLY AT THE ROAD WE CHOOSE TO TRAVEL THROUGH LIFE.

Someone has said, "A Proverb is a short statement that is drawn from long experiences of life."

Hebrew PROVERBS does not get it poetic value from rhyme but from SYLLOGISM (

Explain: Def. A formal argument consisting of a major premise and a minor premise leading to a conclusion.

The text is saying: There is a right path to follow and a wrong path to follow. Follow the right path and it will lead to joy, peace, and eternal life and fellowship with God – follow the wrong path and it leads to destruction.

Prov 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Follow the wrong path and it will take you to ruin and destruction.

It also teaches us that we have no ability of ourselves to make the right decision. Left up to our own best thinking and reasoning we will always choose the wrong path.

It ends with the Admonition – "Watch Where You Are Going" 16 The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless.

T/S WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WATCHING WERE WE GO.

If there has ever been a time when people need to be looking in the right direction it is today.

THE BIBLE HAS SOME WONDERFUL INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE PATHS WE CHOOSE TO WALK.

I. The Word of God teaches us to LOOK UP.

A. We need to look up for our salvation:

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. -- Isa 45:22

B. We need to look up to our creator and maker:

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. -- Isa 51:1

C. A. We need to look up in prayer.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. -- Psa 5:3

D. We need to be looking up to our High Priest and mediator.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Heb 12:2

E. We need to look up for our full redemption.

When you see all the things come to pass – look up for your redemption draweth nigh.

II. God’s Word Teaches us to LOOK BACK:

[Remember] therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works . . . . . . -- Revelation 2:5

Now, I know that in a sense the Bible teaches us not to look back.

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.-- Luke 9:62

However, we are not to look back in sense that we want to go back or live in the past. but the wise man will learn much from the past that will help him to do that which is right in the present and future.

Everyday you are given another chance to start again. (Don’t you just love that great truth?)