Don't stand in the way

A second lesson that comes to us from Ps. 1 is that we are not to “stand in the way of sinners.”  It is a natural progression that, if we entertain the counsel of the wicked, instead of seeking the counsel of the godly in our lives, we will, inevitably find ourselves staying too long and being influenced by them.  We need to examine what has influenced us along the way and what may even now be influencing our walk with the Lord.

Recall how God told Joshua not to turn to the right or to the left, but to be careful to “obey all the law” Moses had handed down to him (Joshua 1).  Joshua was further instructed to meditate on the Word day and night, so that he would be “careful to do everything written in it.”  Our focus must be very similar.  We must not even slightly be distracted by wrong counsel or wrong influence.  Our conscience should become alarmed when we are so deterred.  After a while our life begins to take on a different direction and we will become like them.

I worked with an attorney who worked with prosecuting criminals day in and day out.  He came to me concerned because his wife had noticed a change in his demeanor, that he was becoming more grim and negative, even at home with his children.  Even our outward appearance can take on the features of the work we do.  I know, for example, my mouth turns downward into a frown if I focus on my work too much and allow it to influence my attitude.  Just look at the President after he’s been in office for a couple years.  An amazingly young looking man can all of a sudden appear to be years older.  How much more are our hearts affected by the continual influence of others?

The Hebrew tense of the verbs used in this verse suggest this a man who has never done this.  Unfortunately, for many of us, that horse has already left the stable.  The difficult, then, becomes extricating ourselves from where we have been walking, sittiing, and standing.  It isn’t easy to remove ourselves from relationships that are especially long-standing.  However, Jesus told His disciples, “No man who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).”  Once we have started down this road, there is no turning back.

If we are to become more like Christ, we must obey all the law, not turn to those on the right or left, stay focused upon the Lord and His Word, and let go of wrong influences, and the ways we have been influenced by them.

Godspeed, Phil

 

My new book, "Here's My Heart, Lord," is now available on Amazon.com.  it speaks of the problems of our hearts that get in the way of complete devotion to our Lord.