“There is a way that seems right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
In life, we often get trapped in the thought that all opportunities are blessings. An open door? Wow, that must be from God! But the Bible reminds us that not every path that looks smooth is God’s will.
There are doors that open because of personal ambition. There are also those opened through human manipulation or even traps from the enemy of our souls. The devil can also “open” opportunities if it leads us away from God’s will.
An example? When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the devil offered Him the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). That was a “great door,” right? But clearly not from God. Even Peter once said something that seemed good, rejecting the idea of Jesus being crucified, but Jesus immediately said, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:33), because that was not the Father’s will.
So, how do we distinguish doors from God and those that are not?
- Test with the Word. Does the path contradict the values of God’s Word? If yes, no matter how “good” the door seems, it is not from Him.
- Examine the heart’s motivation. Do you want to step forward because you are led by God or because you are chasing validation, money, or comfort?
- Look at the fruit. Doors from God bring peace and the fruit of the Spirit. Other doors can bring chaos, excessive stress, and distance us from our relationship with God.
Don’t rush to enter just because a door is open. God is not in a hurry. Sometimes He even closes doors so that we stop and listen to His voice.
It is better to wait outside the door with God than to enter without Him.
