Watch Your Walk (Part II)

Let’s be careful to notice the progression of this verse.

 

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
    or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers, - Psalm 1:1

It starts with walking in the counsel or advice of the wicked or ungodly.  It starts with moving in a direction that a person who leaves God out of their life takes.  It is moving in a direction that God is not in or advises.  Next, you are standing with sinners, doing what sinners do.  You are “missing the mark” and living a life where sin rules.  “There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  And in Proverbs 16:2, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes ….”  And then, you are sitting with those who say there is no God and who demonstrate a hate for God.  They deny the Word of God and ridicule and seeks to tear down everyone who stands on the Word of God or proclaims to believe in Him.

Isn't this the exact method we see the country taking as it walks away from God?  Isn't this the way we are attacked?  

The problem becomes your thoughts and actions.  When you surround yourself with seeing and hearing things that you know are not of God, you begin to look for and talk in the way that you should not, that’s not natural to the new man.  You will, of course, then begin to do things that you should not and know not to do.  Maybe just a little at first, but then more and more.  As Casting Crowns sings, it’s a “Slow Fade”.  

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. – Proverbs 1:10

My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.  How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!  These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!  Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. – Proverbs 1:15-19

The first verse in Psalms starts with a statement of blessing for the one who doesn’t walk in the path of the wicked.  And here in the first chapter of Proverbs is a call to not walk along the path of the wicked.  These two books have more wisdom for life in them than I can adequately remember correctly to live by, yet they both start in the same place.  If you want a blessed life, if you want to follow wisdom, do not follow, lead, or walk alongside the path that evil doers and wicked people take.