STAND & READ - Proverbs 14:12-14
?There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. [13] Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief. [14] The backslider, in heart, will have his fill of his own ways; but a good man will be satisfied with his.?
?The Way That SEEMS Right??
PRAYER?
We must all agree?that it is all too easy to make decisions for ourselves?and not even consider what the Lord would have for us.
-We have created a fatal habit for ourselves by taking FULL responsibility for our actions?when we are told that we are NOT to be in full control of our lives?
-In fact, we are to be FULLY dependant upon the Lord!
ILLUSTRATION:
Unlike those bumper stickers that we see that say, ?God is my Co-Pilot??
We need to shove over and allow the Lord to be the Pilot of our lives.
In total and full control?leaning upon Him for our every need and care!
Recently, there has been a swing in counseling and mental care?
Helping people deal with an issue we have called, ?Co-Dependency??
-Co-dependency is something that is seen as a weakness and a hindrance to an individual?
-A miss guided, and unhealthy, attachment to another person, thing or even chemical?
I agree?it is not a healthy thing, nor is it beneficial...
However?I must speak to one thing?
This is how God, in His wisdom, made each and every one of us!
-God has made us with a need to be ?Co-Dependant? on one thing?HIM!!!
-And we know that NONE of us could ever make it in this world without HIM!!!
Can you say AMEN?!
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Thus?the reason I bring this subject to our attention this morning?
-The way that SEEMS right! Unto a man or woman?
Again?Proverbs 14:12
?There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Our danger in this life that we live?is that we live it OUTSIDE of the counsel and confines of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Now?I understand that we may know the Word?we have heard the sermons a million times?and we have heard all the songs?
-The investment of the Word has been made DEEP within our hearts?
-However, I must ask this question?
Has that investment been ignored, or have we taken heed to what we have been taught?and has it shaped our decision-making and us???
The danger that we bring ourselves into is when we begin to think that we can make decisions and do things VOID of the guidance of God?
-Why do we do this?
-Because?there is a way that seems right TO US!
Oh, my friends?we must guard our hearts and protect ourselves from becoming to callous towards the Lord and seeking out our own wisdom, rather than His.
-Even when His makes no sense?we must act on it!
-Even when we may not understand all the details?we must still obey!
-Even when we have no idea what the end result will be?we must still walk in faith!
The Bible tells us in James 4:17, ?Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.?
-And I want to propose to you today, that when we begin to make decisions upon what WE think is best?or the way that SEEMS right?rather than seeking the face of God and searching out His wisdom?
-We have sinned and neglected God in our lives!
ILLUSTRATION:
Here is a vivid picture to us of how CHRISTIANS have become victims of the mentality that we are speaking of now?
Guilty of going in the way that SEEMS right unto them?
10% of church members cannot be found?
20% of church members never attend church
25% admit that they never pray
35% admit that they do not read their Bibles
40% admit that they never contribute to the church?tithe or offering
60% never give to missions
70% never assume responsibility within the church
85% never invite anyone to church
95 % have never won anyone to Christ
BUT! 100% expect to go to heaven
(The Choice, by Thomas Trask, Zondervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1999)
I think that it is safe to say that there will be a sad awakening some day among the ?saints? of God?
A day of reckoning?when we are standing before the Lord?a day when we will have to give an account for our actions?
And the reality of the Proverb will be that, ?there WILL be a way that SEEMS right unto a man, but in the end?it leads to destruction!?
-We may be getting by just fine the way we are, but we must remember that just because we feel no ?conviction? from the Lord because of our actions?it does not mean that He is happy with our actions, or our independent way of life?
-Remember to read Psalm 50?in it you will find that God is not just letting things slip by.
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Twice it is repeated in Proverbs? (Prov. 14:12 & 16:25)
-That there is this way that SEEMS right?
Therefore, it warrants extra attention from each of us. That we would be aware, and NOT give into the temptation that we have to live our lives in a manner that SEEMS right unto us.
-Instead, we should be leading our lives in a fashion that is in accordance to the Word of God and its teachings.
-Because I think that, more than we would like to admit, we make choices on what WE like or dislike; rather than on what the Word of God would instruct us to do.
True???
When decisions are made with this thinking?
Rightness is only present in phantom?because the choices being made have arisen out of a terrible self-deception?
-The self-deception that you can make a better choice than God can?and that you know how to order your life better than God does.
In fact, a person who does so has judged their situation falsely?and has completely treated God?s Word and God Himself with disregard?only following his own advice.
-They have actually estranged themselves from God with this act?having trusted the arm of the flesh, rather than in the Mighty Arm of God?
-And the Word of God is certain and true when it says that this type of living leads to death!!!
Not physical so much, as it does mean?spiritual!
Even the couple of following verses give us a picture of a heart that outwardly seems joyful; but deep inside it is sad and painful?
And the 14th verse gives even a more plain description of the heart that is back-slidden?
-It describes a back-slidden heart as one, which is FULL of his own ways?
-The back-slidder is one who has made a practice and fulfillment of life by doing what SEEMED best to him?with no consultation with God at all!!!
-This is dangerous territory to tread upon?avoid it at all costs!!!
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ILLUSTRATION:
There was once a very over-weight man who always stopped by the bakery on his way to the office each day. He would pick up some pastries and donuts for his co-workers and staff of his company to eat on their coffee breaks?not to mention a little something for himself.
However, one day, he decided that it was time to go on a diet and loose some of this weight. And in order to avoid the temptation to eat, he decided to stop picking up these treats from the bakery for his friends at his job. So he began to take a different route to work in order to further ensure his avoidance. The people that he worked with were even encouraging him with this great decision to loose weight?they cheered him on!
But?one day he had to run a quick errand in the neighborhood of the bakery he used to stop at so often. As he approached the bakery on his ride, he said to himself, ?Maybe God wants me to stop by the bakery and pick up some goodies for the staff. I haven?t done it for a while now, and they would probably really enjoy it.? So the man prayed??Lord, if you want me to pick up some things for them?make a parking spot available to me right in front of the bakery so that there is NO question in my mind that this is what you want me to do.?
And sure enough?there was a parking spot?right in front of the bakery, as he prayed?on his SEVENTH trip around the block!
There are other times that we want to lean upon the Lord?s wisdom?but we want it, still the same, so we ?stretch? what God may be saying in order to suit our desires?
-This is no better?!
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So, how do we safeguard against walking in the way that SEEMS right unto us?
Well, we can remember a few important things that we are told within the Word of God?
FIRST?
We must remember that instruction that is given within?
Proverbs 3:5-6
?Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.?
Simply put?we are to ONLY trust in the Lord?and NOT what SEEMS right to us.
God ALONE is our only source of TRUE prosperity and GENUINE help.
-God, and God alone, knows the right way to the right end.
-God, and God alone, knows what will benefit us.
-God, and God alone, knows from what to free us, and what to shelter us from.
THEREFORE, it is in our best interest?
Further?it is our duty, and for our benefit, that we place our confidence WHOLLY upon God and NEVER trust our own judgment?
The verb for lean here depicts for us the picture that we should, ?lean with the whole body on something; like as if you were going to rest upon it; like you are supported by it?
-This is the kind of leaning that we should be doing upon God?NOT ourselves, nor on what SEEMS right to us.
ILLUSTRATION:
Like the old Hymn says??Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.?
When we lean on Jesus?then there is no doubt?He will be secure for you and will secure your position too.
When the Proverb tells us to acknowledge him?
It is more than just a nod?like you would to someone in the hall, as you say hello?
-To acknowledge, in this sense, is more than just a general acknowledgment that God is there?He is everywhere?
-Rather?acknowledging with an earnest penetrating cognizance?in such a way that it engages the whole of who you are.
And trust in such a way as you do it with all your heart!
-The heart represents the whole of a person?s inner-most being.
-And it is the central seat of al Spiritual soul-strength?
And it is with such ?heart? that we are to trust in the Lord and His ways?over what we may think SEEMS right to us?
Read on in Proverbs 3:7-8, ?Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.?
Again?the Word confirms that we are NOT to be standing upon our own wisdom?or what might SEEMS right to us?
-We are to lean upon what is right and true in the eyes of the Lord as prescribed within His Holy Word.
-When we do that, we will find healing in us, and refreshment as verse 8 tells us.
The SECOND safe-guard that we are given within God?s Word, which helps us to understand that we are NOT going to lean on OUR understanding and what SEEMS right to us is found in 1 Cor. 3:18-20, and says?
?Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness"; [20] and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless."?
Within these lines we have two quotes from other passages?Job 5:13 & Ps. 94:11.
And Paul was using these passages to ?shame? the Corinthians for doing the very thing that we are concerned with this morning?
-Reveling in their own wisdom?
-Trusting in what they thought SEEMED right?
When it comes to wisdom of any sort?
God is the author of it?.
-And when you stand that up next to God?it still is mere foolishness when compared to the wealth of wisdom and knowledge that the Lord has.
For even when we are wise?and we do know a thing or two?
-It fades in the presence of the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that God has?
-It has to blush when presented next to God.
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Actually what was taking place here was that the Corinthians were standing on a wisdom that SEEMED to be the best in their eyes.
And Paul was warning them NOT to be deceived into thinking that the wisdom of their present human age was sufficient for gaining salvation or for building the Church?
-It was all futile.
-And if some Christian believes himself to be wise by the world?s standards?then he must renounce his dependence upon that wisdom so that he might receive the wisdom of God!
A connecting thought to prove this idea of foolishness vs. wisdom is found in I Cor. 1:18-25?
-Where it talks of the preaching of the Cross is foolishness to the world, but to those who receive it, it is the POWER OF GOD.
-It is ironic, what the world calls foolish?is really wise, wonderful and great!!!
And the same is with the foolishness of leaning upon God?
?of following what the will and command of the Lord is?
?of acknowledging God in all ways?
-That seems foolish to do in this world?with our day and age?
-However, it is not?and if anyone should know that?it is the Christian!!!
We have been likened unto Salmon that swim upstream anyhow?we go against the flow?
à -So then?why do we avoid following the wisdom of God?and we still go after what SEEMS to be right according to us???
Psalm 94:11 KJV
?The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.?
To affirm his message, Paul refers to a verse in Psalms. That tell us that even when it comes to a little wisdom that we might demonstrate?
-God already knows it already!
-And our very thoughts, next to God?s, are mere vanity and worthless in comparison?
So when it comes down to us following what may SEEM to be the right way?
It pails in comparison to what God can offer us if only we would follow His lead.
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When it comes to a lack of wisdom?turn to James 1:5 ?
?But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.?
The Bible clearly tells us that if we want to have wisdom, and exercise wisdom?just ask of God and He will give it to you!
-In fact, the Bible says that He will give generously to all those who would ask for it.
When it comes to trying to avoid going in the way that SEEMS right unto you?
JUST ASK GOD FOR WISDOM!!!
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LASTLY?when we are trying to avoid following the way that SEEMS right unto man?
It will serve us well to remember that we are to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh.
Romans 8:12-14
?So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- [13] for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.?
Just briefly?
Paul is exhorting the reader in what he/she is expected to do in response to our salvation if Jesus Christ!
He tells us that we are no longer a debtor to the flesh?
-So, what does this mean?the inference, or suggestion, is that WE ARE a debtor to the Spirit?not to the flesh.
-In other words?we are OBLIGATED to live and serve God according to the Spirit now!
Not being obligated to the flesh?or controlled by the flesh.
We are saved and this is how it happens?
-However; the flesh has not been eradicated.
We still have this sinful nature within us?but we are no longer in obligation to live by it and in it. Because of Salvation!!!
-We DON?T live according to it any longer?
-We don?t follow what SEEMS to be right according to it either.
Do you follow me today???
AS I CLOSE:
What does this all come down to?
As I said??There is a way that SEEMS right unto a man?but it leads to death.?
-There is a great temptation that each of us face?
-A temptation to follow and do what WE might SEE as right, even when it does not line up with what is right.
When Jesus was tempted?
I am sure that it SEEMED right for Him to be able to eat the loaf of bread made from a stone?
But in order to do so, He would have compromised who He was and submitted Himself to satan rather than God the Father.
Do you follow???
The way that seems right?may not always make sense.
It may not always seem logical.
BUT, it must be founded within God, His Holy Word and His Will.
Looking at your life?would you say that you have fruit and evidence of a life that has been following what SEEMS right?or what IS right?
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You will remember the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-22.
Recall the story?
In this story a rich young man comes unto Jesus and asks what he might do in order that he could obtain eternal life.
By keeping the commandments, Jesus said to him.
At which, the young man was happy?I keep them all, I have observed them and am ably keeping them all. But what is it then that I lack?for I know that I still need to do something?
Jesus then cuts him to the quick?He says to him?give all that you have to the poor, store up your treasures in heaven and follow me, and then you will have eternal life.
YIKES! The rich young man says?I cannot do that?and he walked away very sad the Bible says, because he was VERY rich!
What happened here?a couple things?
First?Jesus revealed to the rich young man, that though he had thought he had kept all the commandments perfectly, he had yet broken one?THE VERY FIRST ONE! That there shall be NO other gods before Him.
-How?
-Because he could not part with the great wealth that he had in order to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
-Therefore, there WAS another God before the One True God?
Secondly?this rich young man could no part from doing what SEEMED right to him.
What seemed right to him was keeping all the material possession that he had acquired over time?probably even inherited, since he was young.
-And it was what SEEMED right to him?IE?Keeping the money?that lead to his death (spiritual).
Thirdly?even when we are told, face-to-face, from God what IS right. We can still have a problem with it, and we still must make a wise decision.
-This young man was talking to the very Son of God?God Himself! And yet he faltered in obeying the command of God.
-This reveals to us just how frail our flesh is?
-This reveals to us the true nature of this fight that we are in and how aggressive we really need to be!
My friends, may we not be guilty of this same sin and offense to God.
Let us NOT continue to do what SEEMS right to us?but what is told to us straight from the mouth of God.
Have you been following what SEEMS right to you?
Or could it be said of you that you have followed what IS right in the eyes of God?
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I know what some of you are saying, ?Yeah, but we are still human and we are going to make mistakes. Where is the slack that needs to be cut to us?
I hear you, but also remember that we ARE SUPPOSED to be making choices that are compliant to the Spirit and NOT the flesh.
We MUST battle the flesh, and also gain victories over it.
That is why Christ came, is it not? So that we would no longer be bound to the flesh, but that we would be set free and have liberty from the flesh.
?He whom the Son has set free, is free indeed!!!?
-Free to make RIGHT decisions?
-Correct according to the Spirit, and not what SEEMS right to us?
Don?t make the same mistake as the Rich Young Ruler?
Let?s begin to make the Right choices for the Right reasons?
Because the way that SEEMS right to us?is not always right.
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There is no doubt in my mind that those who walk down the broad path, that is wrote of in contrast to the straight and narrow path, believe that they are making the ?right choice?.
-They are going in the way that SEEMS right to them?
-But we know their end?it is death!
For the wages of sin is death.
ILLUSTRATION:
It has been said that, ?the road to hell is paved with good intentions.?
Could be interpreted, ?the road to death is walked by doing what may SEEM right unto a man.?
Don?t live, any longer, in the way that SEEMS right to you.
Live in the way the Honors the Lord?in obedience to God?and it will lead to life eternal and joy unspeakable!!!
ALTAR CALL:
Salvation?
Freedom from the dominion of the flesh?and bad choices?
Strength and Power to do WHAT IS right according to the Spirit and God?s Will?
-Avoiding what SEEMS right?
SONG:
This Is My Desire
