DO THEY NOT GO ASTRAY?

A long time ago I came across a very nice quotation, which gives a good insight about the decisions we make, and the consequences of the same.
– “We can choose our choices, but we cannot choose their consequences.” – Anonymous

The Bible has some very strong and incisive words about the choices we make, and the consequences we reap. It is important for us to get this understanding as early as possible in our lives. It simply saves us a lot of heartache and suffering, and be fruitful for the glory of God, and a blessing to everyone around us, including ourselves.
– “22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.” – Proverbs 14:22

What we read in Proverbs 14:22 is mirrored by Paul in Galatians 5:7-8. This is simple principle of nature – “What we sow, that we reap.”
– “7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” – Galatians 6:7-8

What we choose will result in we bearing a certain kind of fruit. If we desire to walk in the paths of righteousness, we will bear appropriate fruit for the glory of God. If we choose to walk the “broad way” the way of the world, we will certainly bear appropriate fruit, for the glory of flesh, world and Satan. 
– “13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14 

The critical issue that needs to be noted here is – the principles that govern these two paths – the Narrow Path, and the Broad Way – they both cannot be mixed at any time. If they are mixed even in slightest measure, we will get contaminated, and the end results in we walking the way of the flesh, world and Satan.
– “21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:21,24

Lastly, there are consequences of the choices we make – the fruit of our choices. We bear the fruit right here on this earth; and in many cases, even eternally. It is a serious matter, and sadly many don’t seem to give it a serious thought. All who choose the way of the flesh, world and evil, *DO THEY NOT GO ASTRAY?* They will most certainly will, my dear brothers and sisters. Let us have no doubts about it.
– “Having two masters is not like working two jobs. Jesus had the master and slave relationship in mind, and no slave could serve two masters. i. Jesus states that serving two masters is a simple impossibility. If you think that you are successfully serving two masters, you are deceived. It can’t be done. As ancient Israel struggled with idolatry, they thought they could worship the Lord God and Baal. God constantly reminded them that to worship Baal was to forsake the Lord God. To be loyal to the one is to despise the other.” – Enduring Word Commentary

What choices are we making my dear brothers and sisters? Do we choose to walk the paths of righteousness? Or, are we choosing to walk the paths of flesh, world and evil? It all begins in the heart. So be careful about our hearts. If we are not careful, we would never know when we have slipped into the evil way. Let us be careful, and let us be vigilant. Even so, the LORD help us.