Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Ways That Seem Right

If you own a dog, you may know chocolate is toxic to them. Chocolate is something people eat as a treat, and many dogs will gladly gobble it up if they can get their paws on it. Unfortunately, this sweet dessert is poisonous and potentially deadly for your canine friends.

God tells us that it isn’t always easy to know what is good for us. Some things that appear to be good or “neutral” (not obviously good or bad) to us might actually be harmful. Things like songs, books, movies, or shows might seem harmless, but if they teach something opposed to God’s teaching, they can lead us astray or distract us from what is good. It is really important to know who to trust when you want to decide whether something is wrong or right. You can’t just trust your instincts or desires because harmful things will often seem good to you.

If you are sick, you trust a doctor to advise you on how to get better. To pass a test at school, you trust your teacher to prepare you. To live a godly life, you shouldn’t trust what anyone says is good unless it lines up with what God says. Christians don’t follow the crowd unless the crowd is following Jesus. Even if everyone else we know is convinced something is right, and even if it seems right to us, if God says it is wrong, we will trust Him only.

The unbelieving people around us will tell us how normal and harmless some choices are. But the Bible would call those same choices selfish, immoral, dishonest, and sinful. As we get to know God and His Word, we will know better. God’s Word helps us “discern” what’s best. Discerning is the God-given ability to tell what is right from what is wrong.

As hard as it might be, we should stand up for what is right because we trust the all-knowing God over people’s opinions.

1. Can you think of a time when your parents helped you see that something you did wasn’t the best option for you?

2. Why is it hard to believe something when other people disagree with you?

3. Why do you think some things that are wrong seem right to us? Read Matthew 7:13–14. (This is a cross-reference, another verse in the Bible that is related to the one we are studying.)

4. How are these words from Jesus related to Proverbs 14:12? (Reminder: this is the verse at the beginning of the lesson.)

5. After reading these two passages, think about two or three questions you have about these verses. (Questions might be something like: Why doesn’t God just make me want what’s good? Or, How do I know if I’m on the narrow, or right, path?)

6. What other verses in the Bible help to answer your questions? (Reminder: use the concordance in the back of your Bible or ask a grown-up who loves God and reads the Bible.)

7. What do you think is the most important idea of these two passages, Matthew 7:13–14 and Proverbs 14:12?

8. What do these verses ask or inspire you to think, feel, or do?