Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, And all your ways will be steadfast and sure. Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk]; Turn your foot from [the path of] evil. Proverbs 4:26-27 (AMPLIFIED)
In the aforementioned Scriptures, Solomon, the son of King David who reigned after him as the King of Israel makes a profound and noteworthy remark. His remark is quite apt, timely and relevant to the people that live in this culture. He remarks that we should all walk circumspectly and pay close attention to how we live.
We particularly live in a culture where everyone seems to be right, and everyone wants to do what pleases him/her. There seems to be no absolutes as no one is wrong! Everyone is right so long as they like what they do or whatever they choose to do. But the wise King Solomon, admonishes us that we all should watch how we live, whether it is pleasing to God or pleasing to the culture and the evil age that we live in. He admonishes his son to watch his ways, stay steadfast and secure, and never turn to the right or to the left, and to shun the way of evil.
This remark couldn’t be more relevant to the culture that we live in. The Message Bible, brings out this same thought very beautifully! It puts it succinctly that “we should keep vilgilant watch over the thoughts of our hearts, as that’s where life starts, and keep our eyes straight ahead and ignore all sideshows and distractions”. The culture we live in is one in which everything and everyone is moving so fast and there are so many things calling for our attention contrary to the will of God. Just like the “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” distracted Adam and Eve from the will of God for their lives, there are so many allurements calling for people’s attention.
Therefore, we must of necessity ponder the path of our feet, walk securely on the path of truth and life, and set our eyes on Jesus. We all more than ever need the help of the Holy Spirit, if we are going to survive “the spirit of the age and the flood of deception that is coming upon the world” (Hebrews 12:2).
Hebrews 12:2 (AMPLIFIED)
[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
But everything about our lives begins and ends in the heart because that is where life begins! (Proverbs 4:23).
Proverbs 4:23 (The Passion Translation)
So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.
Hence, you must guard your heart diligently and jealousy! As you do this, it will help you ponder the path of your feet, keep you safe and secure on the path of truth and life as you live in this highly volatile world and ever changing culture.
Peace.
