"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end there of are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12) Oh, Solomon, with his renowned wisdom from God, surely knew the nature of man. The human race may think that we know the way to heaven, and sometimes, unknowingly to most, think our way is better than the Lord's. Just as Naaman said, "I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper." (2 Kings 5: 11),

We put more faith in our own understanding than in Jesus Christ. He was in error for the reason that he was putting in his own understanding and opinion when in fact it was not the will of God, and he was in error in reasoning that which is spiritual with what is physical, human wisdom. Have you ever heard or used the phrase, "That's what you get for thinking!"

Naaman used the words, "I thought," implying that he thought God had the mind of men. He was to go to the river of Jordan and dip seven times to clean his flesh from leprosy. That was the will of God. He also questioned again God's will by saying, "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be clean?" (v. 12) Then he turned away in rage. He was angry and upset because God didn't think like him -like man. Many of us are the same way, and our spiritual leprosy will not be clean unless we heed to God's will. Just as Naaman finally obeyed God and did as he was directed, we also can have our souls washed and restored, if we would only obey God instead of what we think and feel.

We, however, by following after our own hearts, rob ourselves out of the promise of heaven and the joys of our Lord. Solomon tells us, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whosoever walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." (Prov28:26) and also, "The heart of him that bath understanding seeketh knowledge:but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."(Prov 15:14) In trusting in our own selves, we are fooling ourselves with vain, worthless persuasions and feeding on foolishness.

However, if our hearts are right then we will seek after knowledge and find the truth. It is time, my brethren, to put aside man's ideas and theologies, and search the scriptures for the truth. For in the truth there is hope of heaven, but without the truth there is no hope at all, and your soul is in much danger. Let us strive for God's way and not ours. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) There is much to lose. Much more than any material possession that you and I could ever gain.

Eric