Proverbs 16:25 - Many Paths Seem Right But Lead To Death.

Proverbs 16:25: Many Paths Seem Right But Lead To Death. 

CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word 
Study:  

Prov 16:25 (KJV)  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, 
but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

Prov 16:25 (NRSV)  Sometimes there is a way that seems to be 
right, but in the end it is the way to death. 

Prov 16:25 (TEV)  What you think is the right road may lead to 
death.  

Prov 16:25 (TLB)  Before every man there lies a wide and 
pleasant road he thinks is right, but it ends in death. 

CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:

The Proverbs of Solomon  (10:1-22:16)
The major collection attributed to Solomon  (10:1-22:16)
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.

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

Repetition has been called the mother of learning. It has also 
been called the mother of boredom! But when a statement is important 
enough for the author to repeat more than once, you can be sure it 
contains a message you can't afford to miss. [Your Daily Walk SB] 

2 Cor. 13:5 (KJV)  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the 
faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that 
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?  

COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?

This proverb is identical to 14:12. [Expositors Bible Commentary]

Apparently this was repeated for the sake of emphasis. [Bible 
Knowledge Commentary] 

Conduct that seems to be right may end in disaster. [Expositors 
Bible Commentary] 

This way seems right to fallen man whose mind is alienated from 
God. [Passages Of Life SB] 

Man was made to live in a relationship with God, but sin has 
severed that relationship and unless we allow Christ to heal this broken 
relationship we will make choices in life that seem right to us but well 
result in death. [Gibbs] 

Warning against the problem of self-deception. [Jamieson, 
Fausset, And Brown Commentary] 

The "way that seems right" may offer many options and require 
few sacrifices. Easy choices, however, should make us take a second 
look. Is this solution attractive because it allows me to be lazy? 
Because it doesn't ask me to change my life-style? Because it requires 
no moral restraints? The right choice often requires hard work and 
self-sacrifice. Don't be enticed by apparent shortcuts that seem right but end 
in death. [Life Application SB re Pro.14:12] 

Initially this statement seems unfair: we live the way that 
seems right to us, and we're condemned for it. But this is a proverb 
about powerlessness. On our own, we are unable to determine the right 
direction for our lives. That is why Steps Three and Eleven are so 
critical to our recovery. They make it possible for us to say, "You steer 
my life, God. This direction seems right, but what is your will for 
me?" Then we will follow the way that not only seems right, but 
actually is right. [Life Recovery Devotional SB] 

What seems right to us very often is not what is right.  The 
only way we can know what is right is to go to the Author of Life and 
discover what He says.  If we are not bringing the Bible to bear upon our 
lives, we are in danger of drifting to what seems okay.  There is no 
substitute for knowing what God says in His Word.  We cannot apply or 
comply if we don't know it.  Why not determine to read through the 
Bible in a year? Today is a great day to begin this project of 
earnestly reading and studying God's Word.   A regular schedule of what 
and how much to read will help you attain your goal.  Then you won't 
have to wonder about what "seems right," you'll know what is right!  
[In His Time; Walk With Wisdom re Pro.14:12] 

Making Decisions
These are ten questions you'll want to ask yourself and pray 
about when you're faced with a decision. The first five are generic. 
They represent moral issues and godly wisdom that are normative for 
all times. The next five are questions that you need to ask when 
facing a change in direction. Let's take a look at what each question 
entails.  
First, have you prayed about it? The Lord's Prayer begins with a 
petition for His will. Prayer was never intended to be a fourth down 
punting situation in which we ask God to bail us out of our hasty 
decisions. It was intended to be a first-down huddle. We aren't supposed to 
ask God to bless our plans; we are supposed to ask God for His 
plans. 
Second, is it consistent with the Word of God? In our culture 
ignorance is no excuse since resources abound. I believe every home should 
have at least a concordance, Bible dictionary, topical Bible, a good 
commentary and a study Bible with notes. 
Third, can I do it and be a positive Christian witness?
Fourth, will the Lord be glorified?..... Am I seeking the glory of 
man or glory of God? Am I doing this to be noticed by man or am I 
seeking to please the Lord?  
Fifth, am I acting responsibly? God doesn't bail us out of our 
irresponsibility. He will let us suffer me consequences of our sins and 
irresponsible choices. But when we are faithful in little things, he will put 
us in charge of greater things. 
Sixth, is it reasonable? God expects us to think. His guidance 
may transcend human reasoning, but it never excludes it. God doesn't 
bypass our mind.... We are warned in Scripture not to put our mind in 
neutral. We are to think and practice what we know to be true 
(Philippians 4:8,9). 
Seventh, does a realistic opportunity exist? Closed doors are 
not meant to be knocked down. If you have a hopeless scheme let it 
go. If it isn't God's timing, wait. If a realistic opportunity 
exists, and all me other factors are in agreement, then take the 
plunge. 
Eighth, are unbiased, spiritually sensitive associates in 
agreement? Be careful not to consult only those who will agree with you. 
Give your advisors permission to ask hard questions. Don't be afraid 
of no answers. If it isn't God's will, don't you want to know 
before you make the mistake of acting impulsively? 
Ninth, do I have a sanctified desire? Don't think that being in 
the will of God must always be an unpleasant task. The joy of the 
Lord should be our strength.... Is this a desire to satisfy a lust of 
the flesh, or a Spirit-filled desire to see God's kingdom 
established and people helped? 
Tenth, do I have a peace about it? This is an inner peace. In 
the world you will have tribulation, but in Christ we have assurance 
of overcoming the world. Is the peace of God guarding your heart 
and your mind? 
If you have been able to answer yes to all ten deciding factors, 
what are you waiting for? (Walking in the Light by Neil Anderson) 
[Inspirational SB re Jos.22]