Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 16:25

by David Chadwick

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seems right at the moment, but the end result is really destructive. This principle speaks to the blessing of being aware of long-term consequences over short-term urges.

How do you make decisions? Do you surrender to an authority greater than yourself to lead and guide you? Or do you follow whichever whim or fancy you feel? If your answer is the latter, I would urge you to pause today and meditate on this teaching.

There is great danger in relying on feelings. An overemphasis on what seems right, what feels right, and what the world thinks is right can lead to deception. Instant gratification is a dangerous motivation. And so is a life that seeks to gain applause and immediate notoriety.

If something is not God's will, if it's not right, if it's not good for you in the long run, yet you give in to the short-sighted fleshly desires, you will regret it. These are devilish traps that can ruin people's lives later on. The broad path leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

Dear friends, we must immerse ourselves in God's Word. We must live for the future more than the moment, seeking to do what is right at every moment and always trusting that over time God will work things out for our good and his glory.

As followers of Jesus, we must always live for eternity, not for this temporary world. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Today, my prayer is that each of you will seek after an eternal perspective. Allow that mindset to be your driving force as you await our soon-coming King.