The newspaper advert presents a picture of an “handsome” man neatly dressed in suit and hat with a stick of cigarette hanging between his fingers, holding it in position in his mouth. He poses in a manner that suggests to the youth that he is at the peak of maximum enjoyment. Yet somewhere on the cigarette, is written that “smokers are liable to die young “. One may then ask, who is fooling who?
“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)
A way that seems right
Here is a junction where you need to be careful as a young person. There are many things that appear good and correct outside but deadly on the inside. It is not everything that glitters that is gold. For instance, formaldehyde is a natural chemical, colorless and used in all sorts of different applications including lipstick. Most notably it is in pressed wood products, which are found in all sorts of things from cabinets, to mobile phones and many different furniture products. It is a popular way to bond materials, which makes it common in glues of all sorts, especially of an industrial variety. Scientists believe it is a human carcinogen and if used in high amounts leads to health problems. In the same vein, examination malpractice actually appear helpful when one considers that it is an easy road to success. It is the reason people think that examination miracle centers (examination centers where students are permitted or assisted to cheat) are helping the young ones to fix their future. The truth is that they are assisting students to postpone the evil day. At any point you become a genuine believer, your conscience will not allow you to rest until you have restituted. You can not live in sin and hope to walk with God.
A way that people think is right
When we consider the same Scripture in easy to read version, it is not that somethings present themselves as being good, it is that people think they are right. “There is a way that people think is right, but it leads only to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 ERV). Many people will not agree with you that some things are wrong but that does not make them right. Here is what the Bible says. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment” (Exodus 23:2 KJV). The fact that many people do or consent to doing something does not make it right. Many young people believe that it is natural for a boy to have feelings for a girl. As such, it is common among the youths to see peers of teenagers in deep and very emotional friendship relationships. This is dangerous in that it exposes them to sexual sins. Today, many young ones go around with pornographic videos in their phones and flashes for watching and sharing with their friends. It is the reason many masturbate and engage in other sexual perversions. In many Nigerian cultures, bearing children before marriage is celebrated as good omen that when the person marries, she will not have problem with child bearing. So you see such ones walking around with pride and dignity while God looks at them as fornicators. What a lie of the devil to deceive you to live without condemnation when in actual sense you are heading towards destruction.
What you think is right
A very dangerous one is what you yourself think is right but is actually wrong. The goodnews bible puts it this way: “What you think is the right road may lead to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 GNB). This calls for caution on what you hold as your personal belief, ideas, and principles. Wait and ponder a little. Where did you get the ideas you live by from? A person’s mind on issues are formed by his exposures in life. You live the way you live today because of the background where you grew up. The first set of knowledge you acquired when you were growing up in your locality, your early school, the peers you related with, the films you watched and the teachings you listened to whether formally or informally all contributed to what has become your personality today. The danger here is that people generally don’t bother about God’s requirements for living as they exert their influences on you. Neither did you ever think of God when you were forming your opinions on divers issues of life. Your mind on different issues determines your actions and inactions. The environment where you grew up together with all exposures you have had in life have worked together to form your views and positions on issues. Formation of life goes on unconsciously as you are exposed to diverse environments, situations and circumstances. You must consciously settle down at this juncture and find out whether what you have settled for as your own way of life is acceptable to God. Would God approve of your life when you appear before Him on the day of judgement? What if this position you have taken on issues is actually wrong according to Christ’s standard? You need to submit your life to the scrutiny of the Holy Scriptures so you can amend your ways.
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 GNB). God is ready to help you. That is why He begins to show you the Word of God to assist you not to continue to defend your understanding of issues and the way you have been living before now. He expects you to allow His Word to replace your former positions on issues. That’s the only way a child of God can become right and acceptable to God.
Now, remember that Christ is the Word of God. When you renew your heart by the Word of God, you are making allowance for Christ to change your life. In Philippians 2:5 the Bible says “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”. (NKJV). That’s how to be right. Forgo your own mind and replace it with the mind of Christ. The Word of God is the written mind of Christ. Overhaul your heart with the Word of God and you will find grace to please God in every situation.