Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Written by: April J. Buchanan

Oh contrary thoughts, woe to the soul and stumbling blocks along the path of righteousness and assurance. You that cloud judgment and sow discord in the heart, making it feel torn between two good things, when one is always the right path. For any way that leads from the right path, while it may not be inherently bad, when setting itself against the way of righteousness shows itself an enemy. Good it may be in the way of righteousness; an enemy it is when setting itself in opposition to it.

The path is clear. The way is good. Any good thing setting itself in opposition to what is holy, righteous, and good must either submit, or the path has made itself clear. The mind and heart are set in conflict not by truth, not by holiness, not by righteousness, but by whatever has set itself in opposition to them. There lies the conflict.

The way of truth is straight. The way of righteousness is plain. The heart is divided when one way that is in itself good is set against that which is the clear and right path, presenting two paths that seem good, yet one stands alongside and not upon the right, true, clear, and straight path of righteousness. Conflict exists in the heart and mind where what is good is corrupted and set against what is good and straight.

Dear saint, be wise and careful in such reading, for to stretch it beyond its bounds is to justify wickedness already decided in the heart and seeking an exit God has not provided. Rather, He has called His precious saints to endure hardship, trials, and sufferings by means of His gracious providence and His wise and good plan for them.

The way that is good is not always painless. Make wise use of the text of Scripture, that the heart and mind may submit to the will of God in all things, and that whatever looks good or feels good, yet is set in conflict with what is right, holy, and good, may be exposed for what it is. Then may the way of righteousness and holiness be set before the eyes, the mind fixed upon it, the heart submitting to it, and the path walked in faith and obedience, trusting the God who is sovereign and wisely working all things for good and for His glory.

The mind may be deceived. If one thinks it cannot, he is already deceived. Set the mind upon God’s Word and pray, dear saint, for the way which seems right to a man may lead to his ruin. We are skilled at deceiving ourselves and convincing ourselves that what we desire is God’s will for us. Pray for wisdom and a heart to obey.