Introduction

Good morning, Church! The book of Proverbs has a way of speaking directly into our lives with profound wisdom that can sometimes hit us right between the eyes. One such wisdom is found in Proverbs 14:12-16, and it's all about things that may seem right to us, but are not according to God's word.

George Macdonald once said, "Trust to God to weave your thread into the great web, though the pattern shows it not yet."

Let's read the scripture together:

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless."

Let's bow our heads in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today hungry for your word and your wisdom. As we delve into this passage from Proverbs, help us to understand your ways that may seem contrary to our human thinking. Guide us to hold onto our faith by being steadfast, even when the world around us may seem to go against your word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

It's Not Right

We often make decisions based on what seems right to us, what feels good, or what is convenient. However, the scripture warns us that there is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death. This is a sobering reminder that our human understanding is limited and often flawed.

The modern world: We live in a world that encourages us to follow our hearts, to do what feels right, and to make our own path. However, the scripture is clear that our hearts can be deceptive and that our feelings can lead us astray. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This is a stark contrast to the world's advice to "follow your heart." It's important to remember that our feelings are not always reliable indicators of what is right or wrong.

Don’t ignore your feelings: On the contrary, our feelings are a crucial part of our human experience. They can alert us to danger, signal when something is wrong, and bring us great joy. However, they should not be the sole basis for our decisions. Instead, we should weigh our feelings against the truth of God's Word.

The danger of self-deception: It's easy to convince ourselves that something is right when it's something we want to do. We can rationalize and justify our actions in a myriad of ways. However, the scripture warns us against this kind of self-deception. In 1 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes, "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become 'fools' so that you may become wise."

True wisdom comes from God: It doesn’t come from the world. It challenges us to humble ourselves and acknowledge our need for God's guidance. It's a call to reject the wisdom of the world, which often contradicts God's Word, and to seek God's wisdom instead.

The importance of seeking God's wisdom: James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." This is a wonderful promise! God is willing and eager to give us wisdom if we ask for it.

Requires humility: It requires acknowledging that we don't have all the answers and that we need God's guidance. It also requires patience. God's wisdom often comes in His timing, not ours. We may not always understand why God is leading us in a certain direction, but we can trust that His ways are higher than ours and that He has our best interests at heart.

Doesn't Match

One of the key aspects of the Christian faith is the belief that God's Word is the ultimate authority and guide for our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO