Charles Pogue
Some people no doubt believe that life would be a lot easier if they could make up their own rules as they go along. It is the case that a lot of people do that very thing. It does not make any difference to them that Bible has ruled upon a thing to be false doctrine or morally evil. If they would rather believe a lie, and rebel against the holiness described in the Bible, that is exactly what they do.
Unfortunately for them, the Bible teaches that man cannot conduct his life that way and be pleasing to God. Jeremiah wrote, “Oh, Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). The wise man Solomon, makes a similar statement when he writes that there is a way that seems right to a man, but it ends in death (Prov. 14:12).
The propensity of man to try to direct his own steps is not a new thing. In the days of the Judges, every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judg. 17:6). Since that was the case, it is no surprise that Israel found itself being overwhelmed during that period by this nation and that nation. What was right in their own eyes was against the law of God and they paid the consequences.
One should learn from the example of the Judges that trying to direct one’s own steps, and thereby ending up living a life that is displeasing to God, has its own disastrous consequences. As the wise man wrote in the Proverbs again, “Good understanding giveth favour, but the way of transgressors is hard” (Prov. 13:15). Just ask the person who has destroyed his physical body through use of alcohol. But, barring future obedience to God, his worst affliction is yet to come when God destroys both his body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28).
In these days (and there are those in the church who are just as guilty as those outside of it) many try to decide for themselves what is right and wrong when the Bible has clearly already ruled on the matter. Yet, if one tries to impress such individuals with the truth, all he meets with is resistance and the assertion that, “You are not my judge!” What drives such an individual? Where does his attitude come from? In many cases, it most surely comes from a genuine lack of concern for spiritual things in their lives. Secular things; that is what matters to them, and they will have their way regardless of what God says about it.
A man may proceed to direct his own steps. One may do what is right in his own eyes. A person may believe the way he is going is right. There are many who have their minds set on doing their own thing, and God is not allowed to get a word in edgewise. Whether such persons suffer physical consequences for their sin in this life or not, they will suffer an eternal punishment in the fires of hell. If one were to ask them now, is doing what you want to do bringing you happiness? The answer no doubt would be, “Yes.” But in the flames of hell, they will open their eyes through a flood tears, and despair for just a finger dipped in water and touched to their tongues. Then, the answer would—and will be—an entirely different one.
