The same day that I found the list in Matthew 5 that I wrote about yesterday, I found another one in Psalm 1. This one is not quite as nice. It also begins with the word, “Blessed.”
“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.” [vs 1 NKJV]
The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates it this way. “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!”
Notice the downward progression?
It begins with heeding the counsel or advice of those who do not belong to the LORD God Almighty. Every day we are bombarded with that kind of advice. It comes in the workplace, in educational institutions, it tempts us through various media, it woos us by lies and falsehoods. It promises, but never delivers.
Once heeded, it takes us down the path of sin. That path is wide and full of darkness and leads us away from our God.
When it comes to completion, we end up in fellowship with the scornful and mockers of all that is holy and good.
James outlines the same progression in his letter. “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” [James 1:14-15 HCSB]
Today: Thank you, LORD, that you interrupted my downward progression and have set me on the path of righteousness through Christ my Savior and LORD.
