WAYS TO AVOID

“DO NOT ENTER into the PATH of the WICKED, and DO NOT WALK in the WAY of EVIL. AVOID IT…” – Proverbs 4: 14-15a

Although God preserves the Way of His Saints, His Word consistently warns about the WAYS to AVOID: “DO NOT ENTER into the PATH of the WICKED, and DO NOT WALK in the WAY of EVIL. AVOID IT, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Pro.4:14-15). God delights in teaching us in the WAY of Wisdom and leading us in RIGHT PATHS, such that in walking, our “steps will not be hindered,” and in running we “will not stumble” (vv.11-12). That’s why He admonishes that we tenacious “take firm hold of instruction” (v.13). We must avoid: “the path of the wicked” and “the way of evil” (v.14)

Today’s meditation passage illustrates the notion of Two Roads: “The Way of Wisdom” and “the path of the wicked” or “way of evil” (vv.11, 14). These represent: the road to life and the road to death; the shining path of the righteous and the dark path of the wicked which disappears in the night. We are always placed before a choice; and it is perfectly clear which is right “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the PATH of SINNERS, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD…” (Psa.1: 1-2). Matthew 7: 13-14 refers to two gates and two roads: The narrow gate and wide gates; the Broad away of destruction, and Narrow Way of Life.

God’s Word is unequivocal about what ways we must avoid and HOW: “DO NOT ENTER… DO NOT WALK IN… AVOID… DO NOT TRAVEL ON IT… TURN AWAY FROM IT and PASS ON.” There are many different paths in life for a person to take. It is most common for one to take the path that the most people have taken. Choosing such a path is easy and comes naturally, because it goes with the flow; it does not create ripples or hardships and there are others on that same path. It appears to be the best path because many others are on it. The wise man says that one should not set foot on the path of the wicked at all, but AVOID IT at all costs and go another direction.

Believers must avoid the “bandwagon effect”: “You shall not follow a multitude to do evil” (Exo.23:2a). The paths that the majority of people take in this world are usually paths of selfishness and sin: paths of anger, backbiting, bitterness, greed, gossip, hatred, jealousy, pride, vengeance, and violence. Sadly, there are some ‘believers’ who are passively endorsing or actively following such worldly paths of the wicked. They choose to watch, listen or do sinful things, because that is what everyone else is doing. Often they do it with the claim that they are free in Christ and not bound by the law.

Jesus did not die to permit us to sin more, but to liberate us from the bondage of sin’s punishment. He came to free the Believer from continuing to sin on purpose. Grace has not appeared for sin to abound. The Lord Jesus has given a new path to walk on that is narrow and straight and leads to Life and Victory in Love, Grace and Mercy. Turning towards sin and accepting it as an inevitable part of life or lifestyle is to deny Christ and what He has done. The believer must avoid all paths of sin and run the other way, flee temptation: “Abstain from every form of evil” (1The.5:22).

The world will strive to get us to walk on their path. They will make it look appealing and sound harmless. GOD SAYS: Avoid it. Run from it. Avoid walking in any type of evil or sin. God’s Path for us may be narrow and difficult, but it leads to eternal life. We do not Walk this Path to earn our salvation, but because we are saved; not in legalism, but out of love for God.