Day 89 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Which way?
Proverbs 14:12 [ESV] There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
These days, we often say “trust your gut”. We say, “if something doesn’t seem right about a person or situation, don’t get involved”. That is good advice. But, when it comes to right and wrong, good and evil, we cannot trust our natural instincts to guide us. Human nature will often steer us wrong. Why? Because human nature, on its own, is selfish instead of selfless. Human nature, on its own, can be too easily led by the voices of Satan and this world he created. Human nature, on its own, can be too focused on “me first” or “if it feels good, do it” or any one of the other slogans of Satan’s war against humanity.
Isaiah 55:6-9 [ESV] has a warning for us about the pitfalls of trusting human reasoning: 6 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The great thing about this warning is that it points out how much more compassionate God’s ways are than ours. When we forsake our own human-nature-led thoughts and actions, the way becomes open for pardon and compassion from God.
The entire Bible is an outline of the contrast between God’s ways and man’s way. Studying the Word helps us to see the difference between them.
However, there is also an overview found in Matthew 5 via the Beatitudes and especially the section from verse 33 on, where Jesus begins with “you have heard” and then flips to “but I tell you” and proceeds to contrast man’s thoughts on various subjects with Jesus’ instructions.
We know that studying and following these things get us to a new, godly mindset and actions because Jesus concludes with this:
Matthew 5:48 [NIV] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The guidance of Matthew 5, especially the “Beatitudes” that begin the chapter, can be a great help in moving me from trusting my own understanding toward having the understanding of God. The Beatitudes also promise us that we will be blessed by this new behavior.
If we listen to the guidance from this world that tells us that loving ourselves is the greatest love of all, we can be misled into actions that are not godly. This was the temptation that Satan used with Eve in the Garden of Eden, when he told her that she would be better off if she took the fruit and that God was trying to keep her from something she deserved.
Sisters, this way of self seems right at times. The words of Satan about putting self above others seem logical. But the way of God is one of love for others that is equal with love of self and of loving God beyond all else. Let’s not trust our human ways, because we know those are the ways that lead to death.
Let’s always trust completely and lean wholly on the mind, heart, words and Holy Spirit of God to lead us in the right way – the way to life.
PRAYER – Dear Father God, I know that human nature and reasoning will lead me astray. But I seek to put them aside and to be guided by your thoughts and words. Fill me with your Holy Spirit to guide me so that I think Your thoughts, so that I say Your words – words that are aligned with Your truth - and so that I do the works that are led by Your love and compassion throughout this day. In Jesus name I ask this. Amen.
Your thoughts —
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