The Purpose Of Life

The purpose of life

The Bible repeatedly points out that humanity's natural inclination is to turn away from God's will and follow their own path. This is a central part of the biblical concept of sin. This rejection is a recurring theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The broader narrative and specific verses illustrate this human tendency. It also provides a realistic view of human nature. It consistently acknowledges that many will choose to live for themselves, rejecting the very purpose for which they were created.

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV): "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails." This verse contrasts human plans with God's ultimate purpose, showing that God's will is the one that ultimately matters and comes to fruition. So man proposes, but God disposes. You can make many plans in your life, but in the end, God’s purpose will prevail; what the Lord says is what will happen. Thus, our destiny is guided by God. Some great men may rise and fall, even people with great wealth can sometimes become destitute, because it is God that sets out our destiny. Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This verse speaks directly to the human tendency to believe their own plans and desires are correct, even when they go against God's commands. It acknowledges the deception that comes from following one's own will. There is a way that people think is right, but it leads only to death. Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death. A real life scenario of this is that of a man who decides to enter the drug trade, believing that this is the fastest way to achieve wealth and social status. He dismisses the risks, believing he is smart enough and tough enough to avoid being caught or killed. Over time, he becomes a significant player in the drug world, but this brings him into conflict with rival gangs. One night, he is ambushed and killed by a rival, a common occurrence in the drug trade. The "way" that seemed to promise a life of prosperity and respect ended in a violent death, demonstrating the ultimate futility of the path he chose. The pursuit of illicit gain and a life of violence and crime, regardless of whether that man professes a faith, is a rejection of God's moral order. The way of violence and greed led to a life that was spiritually dead even before the life of that man physically ended. His choice was one of self-destruction that had both physical and eternal consequences. Another real life scenario is an executive at a company, facing personal debt, decides to start discreetly siphoning off company funds. The initial thefts are small, and he is able to cover his tracks. The money provides a sense of relief from his financial stress, and he is able to maintain a lavish lifestyle. The "way" seems right because it appears to be a victimless crime with little to no risk. He tells himself he'll pay it all back one day, but the temptation for more and more money proves too strong; and at some point in time, it was eventually discovered, and a full forensic audit is launched. The executive is exposed, facing public humiliation, the loss of his career, a prison sentence, and the complete destruction of his family and reputation. Unable to face the consequences of his actions, he takes his own life. The executive's choice to pursue a dishonest and greedy "way" was a clear departure from a righteous path. While his actions led to his physical death through suicide, the spiritual death was already at work. His greed and deceit led him to a point of spiritual bankruptcy where he felt there was no way out, ultimately culminating in both a physical and spiritual end.

These two types of real-life scenario from various types of crimes illustrates the universal truth of Proverbs 14:12. The "way that seems right" is often a path of self-deception that promises immediate gain but ultimately leads to a tragic end, both in the physical and spiritual sense. The word ”way of death” is referring to both physical and spiritual death. Spiritual death is not annihilation; it refers to one’s eternal destination after death – a state of separation from God, the source of all life. This is the ultimate consequence of choosing a way of life that is contrary to God's will. The Bible teaches that all humans are born with a spiritual inclination to go their own way (Isaiah 53:6), and this path, if not corrected, leads to eternal separation from God. The proverb applies to all human endeavors that are based on human wisdom or desires rather than God's will. The "way that seems right" can be anything from a seemingly harmless lie to a pursuit of wealth or power that ignores moral boundaries. The core message is that human judgment is flawed and can be deceptive. A person might think they are doing what is best for themselves, but if that path contradicts God's truth and moral laws, it is ultimately a path to ruin – a path to one’s own destruction, a ruin of one’s life both physical and spiritual death.