Scripture – “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.”
Proverbs 4:14-16 NIV
Observation – God tells us not to even set one foot on the path of the wicked. We should avoid it completely, not turning to the right or the left. The wicked have an appetite for evil and are restless until they make someone stumble.
Application – In Mark Chapter 2 we read this; “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.””
Jesus and his disciples were obviously spending time with sinners. How did they do this and keep from setting one foot on the path of the wicked? In today’s world, from a practical standpoint, when you are hanging out with people that are prone to evil you need to control where you meet with them and what you do with them. You need to be firm, but loving, about the new life you are living and invite them to experience how you spend your time now. God wants you spending time with the lost but he wants you to influence them, not the other way around.
Prayer – Lord, help us to trust you as we spend time with people who don’t know you. Help us to live holy lives and show them the love of Christ. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 