Why We Must Put God First

 

Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

That warning is extremely serious. It tells us that sincerity is not enough. A person can feel right, be convinced they are right — and still be heading toward destruction.

Given our desire to stay faithful to God’s commandments and avoid compromise, this verse speaks directly to why putting God first is not optional — it is life or death.

Here is a study followed by a Printable Scripture Chart, 

then a Short Encouragement Meditation

1️⃣ Why We Must Put God First

📖 God Must Be First in Priority

Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

This is the first commandment for a reason. When God is not first:

• Human reasoning becomes authority.
• Tradition replaces truth.
• Comfort replaces obedience.

📖 Seek Him First

Matthew 6:33
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness…”

Putting God first means:

• His Word over feelings.
• His commandments over convenience.
• His truth over church tradition.
• His authority over any minister or organization.

Even good things — family, work, fellowship — cannot replace first loyalty to Him.

2️⃣ Why Obeying His Commandments Matters

📖 Obedience Shows Love

John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Love is not just emotion — it is obedience.

📖 The Whole Duty of Man

Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Not:

• Attend church.
• Follow a charismatic leader.
• Belong to the “right group.”

But: Fear God. Keep His commandments.

📖 Commandment Keepers Identified

Revelation 14:12
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

End-time believers are identified by obedience — not by numbers or organizational power.

3️⃣ Why We Must Reject False Prophets and Teachers

This is where Proverbs becomes urgent.

A false teacher almost always:

• Sounds sincere.
• Uses scripture.
• Claims special insight.
• Appeals to emotion or loyalty.

But God warns us plainly.

📖 Warning from Jesus

Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing…”

Notice: beware. That means vigilance is required.

📖 Even If They Work “Miracles”

Deuteronomy 13:1–4
Even if a prophet gives a sign or wonder —
If he leads you away from God’s commandments, you must reject him.

The test is not charisma.
The test is not success.
The test is not growth.

The test is obedience to God’s law.

📖 Many Will Be Deceived

Matthew 24:11
“Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”

The danger is not small. It is widespread.

4️⃣ The Danger of “What Seems Right”

Human nature prefers:

• Comfort over sacrifice
• Belonging over truth
• Ease over obedience

But:

Isaiah 55:8–9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts…”

Our reasoning can justify almost anything.

That’s why:

• Eating Out or Cooking on Sabbath can be rationalized.
• Compromise can be explained.
• Following a strong personality can feel safe.

But if it departs from God’s Word — it is the “way that seems right.”

5️⃣ The Blessing of Putting God First

📖 Stability

Psalm 1:1–3
The one who delights in God’s law is like a tree planted by rivers of water.

Not blown around by:

• Church splits
• Leader failures
• Emotional pressure
• Cultural change

📖 Protection from Deception

Psalm 119:104–105
“Through Thy precepts I get understanding… Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.”

The commandments protect your mind.

6️⃣ A Simple Test for Everything

When confronted with any teaching, ask:

1. Does this put God first — or a man?
2. Does this strengthen obedience — or loosen it?
3. Does this match ALL scripture — or isolated verses?
4. Would this teaching stand without a personality behind it?

If it fails these tests, it is likely “a way that seems right.”

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📖 PRINTABLE SCRIPTURE CHART

“THE WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT”

1. The Warning

Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Proverbs 16:25
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

➤ Sincerity is not safety.
➤ Human reasoning can be deadly.

2. God Must Be First

Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness…”

Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

➤ God first — not tradition.
➤ God first — not comfort.
➤ God first — not a leader.

3. Love Equals Obedience

John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

1 John 5:3
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.”

➤ Love is proven by obedience.

4. Testing Teachers

Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing…”

Deuteronomy 13:1–4
If a prophet leads you away from obedience, you shall not listen.

Isaiah 8:20
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

➤ The test is not personality.
➤ The test is not growth.
➤ The test is obedience to God’s Word.

5. Stability of the Faithful

Psalm 1:1–3
“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…”

Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

➤ God’s Word prevents deception.
➤ Obedience produces stability.

Simple Heart Check

Before accepting any teaching, ask:

1. Does this increase obedience?
2. Does this honor God above men?
3. Does this agree with all scripture?
4. Would I believe this without a human leader promoting it?

If not — it may be “a way that seems right.”

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🌿 Short Encouragement Meditation

“Standing When Others Compromise”

Find a quiet moment.

Take a slow breath.

Remember this:

God has never measured faithfulness by numbers.

Noah stood nearly alone.
Elijah thought he was alone.
Jeremiah stood against a nation.

Truth has often been carried by the few.

When others relax obedience…
When teachers soften commandments…
When compromise is called “wisdom”…

God still sees the quiet one who refuses to bend.

He sees the one who keeps Sabbath in a living room.
He sees the one who chooses obedience over belonging.
He sees the one who trembles at His Word.

You may feel alone at times — especially after loss, especially when fellowship is small — but heaven does not measure by crowd size.

Faithfulness is never wasted.
Obedience is never unseen.
Standing firm is never forgotten.

“The Lord knoweth them that are His.”

And when the Kingdom comes, those who would not follow “what seemed right” — but followed Him — will stand unashamed.

Rest in that tonight.

You are seen.
You are known.
And your quiet obedience matters.