ESOCS Devotional 30 October 2026 – The Way That Seems Right
MEMORY VERSE: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 KJV
TEXT: PROVERBS 14:1-12
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
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In Deuteronomy 30:15, God noted that He has set before man life and good, and death and evil. In verse 16, He advised man to walk in His ways and keep His commandments, statutes, and judgements so that he may live, and be blessed by God. So, in verse 19, He called heaven and earth to bear witness and record this counsel.
Against the above counsel, man chooses his way – how he wants to behave. The self-centred nature of man leads him to believe that he can establish his own moral standards. But the standards he has established will lead him to destruction.
What are these ways that “seemeth right” to a man, which end is destruction? Any lifestyle that deviates from the ways of God or is not in agreement with the commandment of God is the way that man thinks is right. Drunkenness, gluttony, sexual immorality, fraud, yahoo-yahoo, killing, etc. are all typical examples of ways that man thinks are good. So many have landed in prison or received mob action due to these bad ways. Some died in the act.
The “way that seemeth right” may offer many options and require few sacrifices. Easy choices, however, should make us take a second look at options, and take the best that is in line with God’s commandment. Let us check the way we have chosen and are working, which we think are good but leads to destruction or death. 1 Corinthian 10: 12 captured it this way; “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Reflections
- Do you do spiritual appraisal of your ways to ensure they are in line with God’s rules?
Prayer
- Dear Lord, teach me how to search my ways for correction.
Further Reading: Proverb 12, 15; Jeremiah 16:24
ESOCS Devotional 30 October 2026
