SOME THINGS SEEM RIGHT, BUT ARE THEY?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  
(Proverbs 14:12)

MEDITATION:
The good news is, 
‘God made us more intelligent than all of His other creations’.
The bad news is, 
‘God made us more intelligent than all of His other creations’.

When we use our intelligence as God intended, 
we can discover all kinds of benefits.
However, whenever we allow our intelligence to exceed the boundaries 
established by God, we subject ourselves to all kinds of problems and dangers.

This is one of the ways Satan corrupts our use of something good from God.
Look at how he distorted the thinking of Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God 
had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, 
‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
Eve knew what God required, but Satan caused her 
to do what she wanted to do in spite of what God had said.

He is doing the same thing today.
Satan is busy in his efforts 
to distort God’s instructions in the minds of mankind.
In order to ‘do what she wanted to do’, Eve had to ignore God’s commands.
The same thing is happening today as many are ignoring God’s commands 
so they can ‘do what they want to do’.

When we do that, we are essence saying to God that 
we don’t have enough faith to trust that when we obey His commands, 
we will please Him and we will receive His blessings.
When we truly love the Lord and want a genuine relationship with Him,
then we will have a natural desire to do what HE wants us to do.

Things that we once thought were important contributions to our joy in living,
will suddenly become less important as we develop a greater appreciation 
for the blessings God gives to those who love Him.
The more we stay within His boundaries, the more we will be blessed.
And, the more we are blessed, the more we will seek to do His Will.

One of the greatest dangers of misguided intelligence 
is the thought of self-redemption.
It is noble to be upright if we can; 
it is admirable to be honest, kind, and compassionate. 

And Satan would like to corrupt our thinking so that 
these characteristics would seem sufficient enough to save our souls. 
But that’s not what the Bible tell us.
God’s Word says that although this may seem right to man, 
it is wrong and causes us to miss out on Heaven

ACTION:
Are you using the blessings from God as He intended for you to use them?
Do you think it is possible to be saved without making any personal changes?
Are you allowing Satan to corrupt your thoughts so that you 
are deciding what is right for you, regardless of what you read in the Bible?
Think about this: if you are justifying or rationalizing your choices, 
then chances are you are exceeding the boundaries established by God.

Some people “bristle up” whenever they hear a pastor mention ‘tithing’,
but pastors are merely communicating the commands from God in His Word.
Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees 
and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the 
LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me!”
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:7-8)

Some who rob from God would never think about robbing from another person.
How crazy is that?
“I will rob from my Creator but not from one of His creations”.
There are many different justifications and rationalizations 
for this type of disobedience that ‘seem right to man’,
but none of these thoughts are supported in the Bible.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I know that my attempts at living a good life are 
nothing when compared to my Savior, Jesus Christ; but because of 
Him I can come to You, with the knowledge that He has redeemed 
me. Father, protect my mind from the infiltration of corrupted thoughts
from Satan, so that I will properly use the gifts You have given me.”

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