Ways that seem right to a man leads to death

Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 

How do you interpret a verse like this (also repeated in Proverbs 16:25)?  What do you think Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, really meant when he wrote these words?  What “way” is he writing about? 

The word for “way” in the Hebrew has several definitions---journey, direction, habit, a course of life, and/or the moral character of a person.  This verse implies that the ways-directions-habits-course of life and moral character of man will lead to death and this is not the way of God.  The ways of man without the guidance of the Bible will lead man astray and ultimate death.  The ways of man are not the ways of God (Isaiah 55:8-9).  What man will choose to do and be without the guidance of the Bible will be the opposite of the ways God would choose.

This verse speaks of a very popular philosophy today called humanism.  Humanism believes that man is basically good, that mankind (not God) is the highest entity, that there is no absolute right and wrong, and that anything is good and right as long as no one else gets hurt.  The beliefs of humanism are very appealing to the natural human heart that basically desires to rebel against God.  Humanism is anti-God and anti-Bible.     

What are some examples of “ways” that seem right to a man, but, according to the Word of God, are ways that lead to death?

§ Thinking only of yourself, your wants/needs, never those of another person (Phil 2:3-4)

§ Submitting to your lusts without any concern of the implications and consequences (James 1:14-15)

§ Making decisions apart from seeking the guidance of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10)

§ Choosing to follow false prophets and leaders whose beliefs are contrary to the Lord’s (Matt 7:15, Col 2:8, I John 4:1)

What is really tragic is when a person sincerely believes in something or sincerely believes that something is true and right, but such sincerity does not absolve that person from terrible consequences.  You may sincerely believe that a pathway or a philosophy or a cult is right, but when you learn it is wrong, you don’t escape the consequences.  Just like believing in some investment where you give a huge amount of money, then find out later it is bogus--- your belief was sincere, but you still lost all your money.  Consequences of sincere belief in wrong things can result in spiritual or physical death.  Wrong choices, despite how much you might have believed in the truth of your choice, can lead to death.

There exists a spiritual law that states that man’s sinful nature separates him from fellowship with God.  Nothing man can do, no matter how right it seems, can bridge that gap.  Only faith in Jesus Christ can.  Without Jesus, the ways of man will lead to eternal separation from God, thus, eternal death.  Thank God that His way, if you believe His Word, will lead you to eternal life.