(Thanks to Sterling for the inspiration, and to his father Mike,
for a lifetime of cherished friendship.)
“There is a way which
seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs
14:12).
“Lord, save us from
the ‘seemeth right’.” I once heard
an old preacher offer this supplication, the wisdom of which I more and more
appreciate as the years go by.
The baubles of the world,
the devil, and the flesh gleam brightly before even the most godly eyes. As a young man whom I greatly respect
once said when he was a mere lad, “Satan makes good things seem bad, and bad
things seem good.” How easily we
overlook such wisdom when our flesh craves things, possessions, relationships
and opportunities that promise life, but purvey death.
The father of the young man
whom I mentioned is a lifelong friend, and is, in fact, the man who led me to
the Lord. Mike and I have a pact
that we will honestly tell each other if and when one of us begins to venture
down paths of destruction that should be obvious, but aren’t (the pact also
involves a swift and decisive kick in the… well, you know!). It is good to have such a friend and
brother in Christ, who serves as a safeguard against the “seemeth right.”
I’d suggest that we
all seek someone to serve this purpose of protection and correction in our
lives. We need godly friends who
encourage, illuminate, and yes, who “kick us in the you know,” if necessary.
Our own study of Scripture and life of
prayer may provide the primary fortification against deception. However, we also require God’s provision
of faithful companions who journey with us along the path of righteousness. They see pitfalls and obstacles that our
own eyes easily miss because of fleshly inclinations. By definition, “the ways of death” are
deadly, and the fellow believer who walks with us may well keep us from falling
into a dangerous precipice.
Yes, indeed, Lord, save us
from the seemeth right! He will,
especially as we avail ourselves of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and the
fellowship of saints who love us enough to tell us firmly and forthrightly when
we blithely wander upon byways of destruction. I’m grateful for Mike, Sterling, and so
many of you, who through the years have wielded a correcting word (and/or foot!) when I’ve needed it. Keep talking, and keep kicking! J
“Faithful are the wounds of a
friend!”
(Proverbs 27:6)
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