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Proverbs 14:12 - There Are Ways That Seem Right But Lead To Death.

Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) There is a way which 
seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are 
the ways of death. 

INTRODUCTION

The warning is against trusting to the 
guidance of the conscience without checking the 
conscience constantly against the teaching of the Word 
of God. [SDA Bible Commentary] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Signs of a Working Conscience
   You're never going to stop sinning as 
long as you're breathing. But there's a 
difference between being a sinner and living in a 
pattern of sin. And if you're a true Christian, you 
won't live in a pattern of sin. 
   The Bible says, "Those who have been born 
into God's family do not make a practice of 
sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't 
keep on sinning, because they are children of 
God. So now we can tell who are children of God 
and who are children of the devil. Anyone who 
does not live righteously and does not love other 
believers does not belong to God" (1 John 3:9-10 
NLT). 
   For example, if you're a Christian and 
start to contemplate doing something that is 
sinful, and you're aware that it's wrong, that is a 
good sign. It's good to come under the conviction 
of the Holy Spirit. 
   And if you end up doing the wrong thing 
anyway and then feel deep guilt afterward, that, 
too, is a good sign. It means that your 
conscience is working. 
   Our consciences are like smoke alarms. 
The purpose of a smoke alarm is to alert us to 
danger - or the need to change the battery. In the 
same way, our consciences tell us that what we're 
doing is wrong. 
   However, you need to be concerned when 
you can contemplate a sin and don't feel any 
conviction about it. You also need to be concerned when 
you can go through with that sin and don't feel 
any guilt whatsoever. That means your conscience 
isn't working. 
   When God deals with us when we go astray, 
it's an indication that we are children of God. 
The writer of Hebrews said, "My child, don't 
make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't 
give up when he corrects you. For the Lord 
disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he 
accepts as his child" (12:5-6 NLT). 
   The fact that God convicts you and that 
He disciplines you when you have gone astray 
says that you are a child of God. 
   If your children do something wrong and 
you discipline them, you're simply doing your 
job as a parent. That is your responsibility. 
However, if someone else's children misbehaves, that 
is not your responsibility. Their discipline is 
the responsibility of their parents. 
   In the same way, God disciplines us 
because we are His children and He loves us. 
   Maybe you've been doing some things you 
shouldn't be doing, and you've sensed the discipline 
of God in your life. Or, you're feeling guilty. 
If so, rejoice. It means that your conscience 
is working. 
   When you don't feel the guilt anymore, 
when you can sin again and again and feel 
nothing, that means you're getting a hardened heart. 
The Bible warns, "There is a path before each 
person that seems right, but it ends in death" 
(Proverbs 14:12 NLT). 
   If you feel guilt for your sin, here's 
what you need to do: Go to Christ. He will 
forgive you. That is why He died on the cross. [Greg 
Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Proverbs 14:12 - There Are Ways That Seem 
Right That Lead To Death. 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220914-0830.html 

Proverbs 14:12 - Many Paths Seem Right But 
Lead To Death. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050204-0854.html 

Proverbs 16:25 - Making Right Decisions.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110607-1125.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/