{"id":55431,"date":"2018-11-20T16:26:40","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T13:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=55431"},"modified":"2025-09-17T09:30:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T06:30:25","slug":"there-is-a-way-that-seems-right-to-a-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2018\/11\/20\/there-is-a-way-that-seems-right-to-a-man\/","title":{"rendered":"There Is a Way That Seems Right to a Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Personal Testimony and a Call to Repentance<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.\u201d<\/em>
\nProverbs 14:12 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Before I came to know the Lord and received salvation, I used to believe deep in my heart that God would not judge me harshly. I thought, \u201cEven though I may be sinning now, surely, in the end, God will have mercy on me. After all, I’m not as bad as murderers or witches.\u201d<\/p>\n

I believed that drinking alcohol moderately wasn’t a big deal\u00a0 certainly not enough to send me to hell like those who are full-blown addicts. I thought my sexual immorality, clubbing, and worldly lifestyle were not serious offenses. I assumed that vulgar language, gossip, and slander were just normal human behavior and not really “sins” in God’s eyes.<\/p>\n

In my heart, I comforted myself: “At least I don\u2019t kill, I don\u2019t steal, I don\u2019t go to witch doctors. I\u2019m a Christian, I go to church, and I even give to the poor\u00a0 that should be enough for God to accept me on the last day.”<\/p>\n

To me, Jesus was just an \u201coptional extra\u201d in life\u00a0 not the foundation of life itself. I didn\u2019t take God seriously. I lived in spiritual complacency, thinking I was safe. But I was blind.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until the Lord, in His great mercy, opened my eyes that I realized I was in extreme danger<\/strong>, lost and heading to eternal destruction without even knowing it.<\/p>\n

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The Deceitfulness of the Heart<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cThe heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.\u201d<\/em>
\nJeremiah 17:9\u201310 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Bible clearly tells us that the heart can deceive us. Satan is indeed a deceiver, but your own heart can deceive you even before the devil tries to. It was Satan\u2019s own heart that deceived him first (Isaiah 14:12\u201314). Likewise, our thoughts and emotions can lie to us and give us a false sense of security.<\/p>\n

This is why Scripture warns:<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.\u201d<\/em>
\nProverbs 4:23 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No matter how good something may seem in your own eyes\u00a0 even religious acts\u00a0 if it is not in line with the truth of God’s Word, it leads to death.<\/p>\n

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Religious but Lost<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many believe that being religious or following the Ten Commandments is enough. Some think helping the poor, avoiding major sins, or being a good person will earn them a place in heaven. Others reject the idea of judgment entirely, saying, \u201cWhen we die, we just disappear,\u201d or believe in unscriptural teachings like purgatory or reincarnation.<\/p>\n

But the truth remains:
\nJesus is the only way.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJesus said to him, \u2018I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\nJohn 14:6 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Let\u2019s not forget the rich young ruler\u00a0 a religious man who kept all the commandments but still lacked eternal life.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?\u201d<\/em>
\nMatthew 19:16 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow Him, but the man walked away sorrowful because his heart was attached to his wealth (Matthew 19:21\u201322). This shows us that religion without surrender to Christ is empty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Rejecting Christ is Rejecting Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To the religious Pharisees and Sadducees who did not believe in Him, Jesus said:<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.\u201d<\/em>
\nJohn 8:24 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Friend, don’t let your heart deceive you into thinking that Jesus isn\u2019t necessary in your life. Don\u2019t believe the lie that your own righteousness, religion, or traditions can save you. Only the blood of Jesus Christ<\/strong> can wash away sin and bring eternal life.<\/p>\n

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You Need the True Gospel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are in the last days. Jesus is coming soon. This is not the time to follow your feelings or opinions. The Bible warns:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.\u201d<\/em>
\nProverbs 28:13 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

True repentance means turning away from sin completely and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

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Next Steps to Salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If today you feel convicted in your heart, take these steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Repent<\/strong>\u00a0 Turn away from all known sin.<\/li>\n
  2. Believe<\/strong>\u00a0 Place your full trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.<\/li>\n
  3. Be baptized<\/strong>\u00a0 In water, by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).<\/li>\n
  4. Receive the Holy Spirit<\/strong>\u00a0 Allow God to empower you to walk in righteousness and overcome sin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cAnd Peter said to them, \u2018Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u201d<\/em>Acts 2:38 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    If you’ve already been baptized in a different way or without understanding, it\u2019s not too late. Biblical baptism is part of obedience, and it must be done in truth.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.\u201d<\/em>John 6:44 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Don\u2019t harden your heart against the voice of grace calling you to be saved. If you\u2019ve backslidden, today is your opportunity to return. If you\u2019ve never truly surrendered to Jesus, today is the day of salvation<\/strong> (2 Corinthians 6:2).<\/p>\n

    The blood of Jesus still speaks. The door of grace is still open.<\/p>\n

    Let your heart not deceive you\u00a0 run to Christ while there is still time.<\/p>\n

    Friend, what seems right to you may very well lead to eternal destruction. Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ. Don\u2019t wait until it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em>
    \nRomans 6:23 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    May the Lord bless you and open your heart to His truth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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