Lesson 10 Proverbs

There is a Way That Seems Right We often convince ourselves we are right in spite of the evidence and experience. This applies with God’s teaching. This applies with our spouses. This applies with our children. This applies with our brothers and sisters. Pr. 14:12 ; 16:25 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

There is a Way That Seems Right Is. 55:8 – “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 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. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

There is a Way That Seems Right Jesus taught the idea of knowing the truth. The Jews thought they had a pass on truth being Abraham’s seed. John 8:31ff – “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him,  ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

There is a Way That Seems Right Ignorance of God’s word may make something seem right. Rom. 10:1-3 – “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Paul did not question the Romans’ sincerity. He knew they were not taught any differently.

There is a Way That Seems Right Ignorance of God’s word may make something seem right. (Examples continued) The followers of Baal in the days of Elijah were sure their god was the greatest and that he would prevail over Jehovah. 1 Kings 18:20-40 How sincere were the worshippers of Baal? How did they show their sincerity? What did they do when they learned otherwise? v. 39 “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.”

There is a Way That Seems Right Ignorance of God’s word may make something seem right. (Examples continued) The Athenians were so conscientious that they had an idol to the unknown god. The Athenians were known spending their time telling and hearing something new. Acts 17:16-28 - Paul preached to them Jesus and educated them.

There is a Way That Seems Right Ignorance of God’s word may make something seem right. (Examples continued) Saul persecuted Christians for what he felt was a threat to Judaism. Acts 22:3 – “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” Gal. 1:13-14 – “For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But … to Damascus.” Acts 26:9-11 – Paul stated the same thing before Herod.

There is a Way That Seems Right Ignorance of God’s word may make something seem right. (Examples continued) Saul persecuted Christians for what he felt was a threat to Judaism. Acts 22:3 – “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” Gal. 1:13-14 – “For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But … to Damascus.” Acts 26:9-11 – Paul stated the same thing before Herod.

There is a Way That Seems Right It boils down to attitude. Pr. 27:7 – “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.”