“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
Proverbs 16:25 NLT

“It seemed right at the time.” Have you ever uttered those words. Or maybe you have heard someone else say them, and then the words are followed by a description of a series of events that ended in consequences or worse yet, tragedy. 

It seemed right, but it wasn’t. At times we can be deceived. I enjoy a good magic show, but even as I am watching I know that I am being deceived. I know that I am being deceived, yet what I am watching still seems real. It seems real, but it is not. There is a lesson to be learned from that. In life, I need to remember that I can be deceived by things that seem right but they are not. They are not right, and beyond that, they are a trap that ends in death. 

If we were aware of consequences up front, there might be some things we would avoid. No one walks intentionally down a path that they know is going to end badly if they can help it. However, if we aren’t careful we may slip onto the wrong path. 

SLIP is the acrostic to keep in mind to keep yourself from following the wrong path. 

Selfishness – Something that is centered upon me, not God and not others.  Is what I am about to do all about me? 
2 Timothy 3:2-4

Lust – I want it right now. Is what I am about to do driven from an unchecked desire? 
James 1:14-15

Impulse – A quick thoughtless decision. Have I carefully thought through what I am about do?
1 Thessalonians 5:6

Pride – Something to make me look better. Is what am about to do driven by my desire for fame, fortune, or recognition?
1 John 2:16

This week don’t SLIP onto the wrong path. Choose the path of life. 

In His Hands, 

John