CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH
Proverb 2:10-13 and 20 NKJV
10 When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
11 Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
12 To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
20 So you may walk in the way of goodness,
And keep to the paths of righteousness.
In this chapter of the book of Proverbs, the word paths or path is used seven times. The overarching theme of this chapter is pursuing the wisdom of God in order to stay on the right path.
The wisdom of God is able to keep and protect those who receive it from those people who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness. The metaphor of paths is used to show that there are different ways we can live our lives. We can choose to actively seek God's wisdom and walk in the ways He reveals. Or we can choose to walk in the ways of darkness and the ways of evil. The challenge is that the paths of darkness are not always well-marked. This is why we have to pursue God's wisdom.
When we receive God's wisdom, then our discernment and understanding increase. It is interesting to note that the Scripture says when wisdom enters your heart. God's wisdom is not determined by intellect or someone's ability to grasp difficult concepts. The entrance of God's Word brings light and understanding to the simple according to Psalms 119:130. And verse 105 of that very same psalm states that God's Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Because God's Word is spiritual, we all have the ability to receive it regardless of education or background.
And as we pursue and receive the wisdom that is in God's Word, our capacity to discern and understand God's right paths increases. Age does not always bring wisdom. Experience will teach only if it's the correct experience. God's wisdom provides insight that goes beyond age and experience. God's wisdom can be received by the young and then direct them to the right paths.
So, receiving God's wisdom enables us to walk in the way of goodness and stay on the path of righteousness, which is the path of God's right ways. The big benefit of walking in goodness and staying on the right path is that we encounter fewer problems of our own doing.
APPLICATION
One of the most challenging parts of being in pastoral ministry is observing people take the wrong paths. Too often, I know that the path they are on is not going to turn out well. Another heartbreaker is to see someone who is on the right path get off and walk in the way of darkness.
So that begs the question of why I don't warn them. Well, sometimes I do, but if there is not a heart for God's wisdom, then typically, my words fall on deaf ears.
But what a blessing to see someone come to the Lord and the entire path of their life change dramatically for the better. The good news in all of this is the knowledge that we can choose our path. The Lord will not force us to take the right one, but if we will listen to His word and His spirit, He will never lead us wrong. David declared He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for Your wisdom and ways. Thank You for showing me the paths of life where I should walk. Thank You that Your path is always the right path.