Perils of Walking on the Wrong Path

Perils of Walking on the Wrong Path (Proverbs 4:14-15)

Proverbs 4:14-15, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”

The Portia spider is a master predator whose chief weapon is deception. To begin with, the spider looks like a piece of dried leaf or foliage blown into the web. When it attacks other species of spiders, it uses a variety of methods to lure the host spider into striking range. Sometimes it crawls onto the web and taps the silken threads in a manner that mimics the vibrations of a mosquito caught in the web. The host spider marches up for dinner and instead becomes a meal itself. The Portia spider can actually tailor its deception for its prey. With a type of spider that maintains its home inside a rolled-up leaf, the Portia dances on the outside of the leaf, imitating a mating ritual. The Portia can find a signal for just about any spider by trial and error. It makes different signals until the victim spider finally responds appropriately—then keeps making the signal that works. Like the Portia spider, Satan's weapon of choice is deception.

The false belief that people make many times when they get involved in a sinful lifestyle is that they will have fun and be satisfied in that kind of life. They come to those assumptions because they have been deceived either by Satanic influences in their own lives, or by their own reasoning and envy. It is crucial that you understand that Satan is a great deceiver and an expert at counterfeiting. He never offers you real love, joy, peace, or satisfaction. What he offers is false and artificial. It is not real at all. He camouflages his destructive path in such a way that you don't begin to see the consequences of your sinfulness until the damage has been done in your life. He never wants you to see the end of the road and the destruction, distress, depression, and even death that lie there. God warns us to stay as far away from the path of the wicked as we can.

In spite of God's warnings, many feel they are exempt from God’s cautions and warnings. They feel that regardless of what the Bible teaches they can get away with living however they choose. They ignore the warnings of Scripture and the warnings of the suffering of sinners as they reap the consequences of a wicked life. The Bible is filled with warning signs from God that caution us against taking paths that will lead to trouble. Yet, often we see them and continue on our way, not stopping to realize that those signs are there for a reason, and that if we keep going despite their warning there will be consequences. Flirting with worldly pleasure will eventually result in getting into bed with worldly pleasure. Some people justify their behavior, choosing to believe that the Biblical warnings were given for another age and time and do not apply to us today. In their pride they believe they will not be hurt as others. They can handle their lifestyle and don't need anyone telling them what to do. In their rebellion, God may allow His children to have their own way at first. In mercy, He gives His children time to repent. Those who persist in their stubborn sinfulness eventually find out that having their own way is also a form of chastisement. A wise person heeds and follows the warning signs and avoids much agony and sorrow.

There is a dangerous and potentially deadly tendency to think that we have things pretty well figured out and don’t need wisdom or counsel from others. The Bible emphasizes the importance of observing and obeying wise counsel and the benefits from the safety of godly counselors. The Bible instructs us in Proverbs 11:14, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Regardless of how long we have been saved, we still need to heed to wise counsel. May we humble ourselves enough to receive and follow godly counsel and we will be protected as a result.

The father pled with his son (Proverbs 1:10) not to imitate the lifestyle of the "wicked" or "evil men". The terms "path" or "way" here, as throughout Proverbs, indicates manner of life, or lifestyle.
He used six strong imperatives in this warning (Proverbs 4:14-15).
(1) One should not enter that path.
(2) If he does, however, he should not walk in them.
(3) It is much better to avoid it; or leave it alone.
(4) Pass not by it, do not even go near those who pursue this course of action.
(5) Turn from it.
(6) Pass on, put the greatest possible distance between you and that evil life.
Why does the father want his son to avoid the path of the wicked? Sin is like a narcotic, and they are consumed with a craving for sin and violence.

Solomon called his son to him and said, “Son, I have something to say to you. There are two paths ahead of you—the path of the just and the path of the wicked. If you take my advice in regard to them, you will have a long life.” God's advice is not to see how clean you can stay if you enter in to this sort of thing. God's advice is to avoid them altogether. Any parent who took the time to point out the examples of men who have traveled the pathway of wickedness, your children would have more reason not to follow the path of the wicked. There is ample evidence so that you don't need to take them on the path of wickedness to show them what you are talking about. Follow Solomon's advice. Take the path of the just and avoid the path of the wicked. You will be faced with this decision. Every one of us has options, choices, and a decision to make. Not only tomorrow, but every day of your life you must decide which path to take.

Three examples of avoiding wicked paths:
1. Rechabites (Jeremiah 35)
2. Joseph (Genesis 39:7-23)
3. Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Three examples of entering wicked paths:
1. Lot (Genesis 13:10-13)
2. Solomon (I Kings 11:1-8)
3. Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 18:1; 21:6)

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to be wise in the choices and decisions I make, for I know they come with consequences. I’m aware that far greater people than myself have succumbed to immorality simply because they have entertained evil for a moment. May I desire to pursue only those things that would honor You, and bless and benefits others and myself. In Jesus name, Amen.

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