Everyone has an opinion, a personal perspective, a
viewpoint on any given subject, a bit or two of wisdom and insight to share.
With today’s technology it doesn’t even require a personal conversation to
express it. We have Twitter, Facebook,
and blogs like this one. Who we listen to really isn’t as insignificant as we
may think. We need to pay close
attention to who we listen to and whose advice we follow.
We begin this two part lesson
with who NOT to listen to.
How blessed is the man who
does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners,
nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm 1:1
This verse is a powerful statement of what NOT to do. Actually, it tells us we are “blessed” when
we don’t do these three specific things. The Hebrew word is esher – to have great joy and inner
peace. This word is also translated
“happy.” There really is a feeling or sense of pleasure, contentment or
confidence that goes with esher. Isn’t that what you want
as you decide what to do in any given situation and go forward in life?
So, what are we not to do?
1. Don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked.
There are several very interesting words in this
statement. One is the word translated “wicked.”
It is the Hebrew word rasha. It
is the opposite of righteous. It means that which is at odds with God or what
is not right in general. The word translated “walk” is halak, which refers to the movement that is natural to whatever is
moving. For example: the halak of a
river is flowing; the halak of a
snake is slithering, the halak of a
fish is swimming. What would the halak be of one at odds with God? Obviously it is going to be at odds with His
will and His way.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14 NAS
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from
the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand
them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
Without the Holy Spirit empowering interest, inquiry and
insight the upright things of God will not make sense to people living in an
upside down world. It is foolishness to
them, they don’t understand and push it away. It has to be “spiritually
appraised” – anakrino – scrutinized,
investigated, searched out through asking questions and thoroughly examining.
Even with the Holy Spirit, there are no instant light bulbs. The discovery of
truth is found through digging deeply.
Even as Christ followers, we need to be careful that we are not settling
for surface half-truths.
The word counsel is etza,
which means counsel, advise, direction or instruction. It is much more than a recommendation or
suggestion, but what is truly believed to be the correct thing to do in that
situation. The intent of any counsel is
to get you to think like they think so you move like they move. What kind of counsel will someone give who
does not know or accept the things that come from the Holy Spirit? One thing for sure, it is not going to help
you discern the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Their counsel will help you halak in a way that fits very comfortably into this world because
it is how the world naturally moves. That is why conforming to this world is so
easy. However, if we want to truly be esher – be happy, have great joy or
inner peace, than we need to make sure that we are not getting our advise from
those who do not know God’s heart, let alone His will.
How do you know if you are
“walking in the counsel of the wicked”? There is a very simple answer. It is not
leading to either glory or grace! It might feel good for the moment, as our
precious little “C’s” are fed (comfort, convenience, control, affordable cost
and self-exalting crowns), but there will not be that promised deep inner joy
and serenity – the c’s of Christ: calmness, confidence, contentment, commitment
and consistency anchored in Him alone.
2. Don’t stand in the path of sinners.
The
thing about standing is that it is where you choose to be. It is where we decide to stop and
linger. That is exactly what the Hebrew
word ‘amad conveys. It can be a verb
as we literally get up from sitting or lying down and plant our feet. It can also be noun as we take a stand on a
particular issue or firm up our opinion.
We are told not to stand in the path of sinners.
Calling
someone a “sinner” sounds so judgmental. Truth is, we are all sinners.
… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, Romans 3:23
That
is exactly what the Hebrew word translated “sinner” in Psalm 1:1 means: chatta – one who misses the mark or
fails to meet the standard. Identifying someone as a sinner (self or others)
requires taking the time and making the effort to compare that person to the
standard. What or who needs to be the
standard to which we compare ourselves or those we allow influence over us?
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all
you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15,16
Is it “fair” for the Lord to demand holiness from us?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would
be holy and blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:3,4 (NAS specific)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so
that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the
corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3,4 NIV
He has
done and makes available through His Spirit everything we need to be godly and
holy. A sinner is simply one who fails to meet that standard of holiness. We are told to not to take our stand with
those who choose not to be holy. Do not
“stand in the path of sinners.”
Do not set foot on the path
of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
Proverbs 4:14 NIV
My son, if sinners entice
you, do not give in to them. … My son, do not go along with them, do not set
foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed
blood. Proverbs 1:10,15,16 NIV
There are three different words translated “path” in these
passages:
·
Psalm 1:1 Derek refers to a path created by repeatedly traveling over the
same terrain. Pathway across a field or
through a forest, rut in a road, or habits and characterizing lifestyle that
result from going the same way and making the same choices again and again. A derek can easily become the pathway of
one’s life, the pattern of living, thinking, talking, behaving, and so
forth. What do you think it means to “stand” in someone else’s rut?
The
word “way” in the second part of Proverbs 4:14 is also derek. However, the word
translated “walk” is not halak like
it is in Psalm 1:1 or Proverbs 1:15 (“go along” in NIV). The word is ashar, a cousin of esher. It means to call blessed, find joy in, or deem good. Literally it states: Do not find joy or deem
“good” the well-worn pattern of the ungodly. How can getting into the rut of those at odds with God taint what we
deem as good or what gives us joy?
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who
substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for
sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20
·
Proverbs 4:14 Orach
is much wider than a derek. Rather than a path, an orach is more like a highway.
It most often referred to an established road used by caravans or
armies. If a person decided to “stand”
in an orach, they would either be run
over or more likely, caught up in the masses.
How can that easily happen in our
lives?
·
Proverbs 1:15 The word translated “path” is netiva.
This refers to a path left behind when someone walks through fresh
snow or a flowerbed, for example. It
also refers to the wake behind a boat. Netiva is about impact and influence at
a specific time or in a specific situation. It is about walking in their
footprints allowing them to lead the way.
The
first part of this verse states, “My son,
do not halak in the derek with them.” = Do not rut around in the ruts with
them. The second part is: keep your feet
out of their footprints. Whose footsteps
should we be stepping in?
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 NIV
How do we follow His netiva?
Indeed, He loves the people;
all Your holy ones are in Your hand, and they followed in Your steps; receive
of Your words. Deuteronomy 33:3 NAS
specific
Establish my footsteps in
Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
Where
does He lead us?
Righteousness will go before
Him and will make His footsteps into a way. Psalm 85:13
Put all these definitions of “path” together. What is the importance of this instruction
not to “stand in the path of sinners”?
For me, several realities stand out. First, is that they are never going
to lead me to life and godliness.
Second, I am not immune to being caught up in where they are going and
in the process led astray.
But I am afraid that, as the
serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from
the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
Transgression speaks to the
ungodly within my heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For it
flatters him in his own eyes concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the
hatred of it. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has ceased
to be wise and to do good. He plans wickedness upon his bed; he sets himself on
a path that is not good; he does not despise evil. Psalms 36:1-4 [Written in
the 3rd person, it is in fact about self.]
For in his own eyes he
flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. Psalm 36:2 NIV
He has smooth-talked himself
into believing that his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his
mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember
when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil
plot. When he’s loose on the streets,
nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and
doesn’t care who gets burned. Psalm 36:2-4 MSG
That is really, really scary. Do you recognize that there is “the ungodly within your heart”? It doesn’t take much to be caught up in it.
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the
ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest
for your souls. But they said, ‘We will
not walk in it.’ Jeremiah
6:16
Let’s not repeat the last part of this verse in either
attitude or choices. What are “the
ancient paths” we are suppose to be seeking? To me it is the pathway of
trust and obedience, one of partnership, one of glory and grace that the Lord
planned for me to walk from before creation. I invite you to check out Ancient Paths in this blog.
Who is helping you walk “the ancient path”? Are those you
are listening to – where you are getting your advise and encouragement -
helping you to find and travel down that “ancient path” or one of
willfulness? When life is becoming a
soap opera are the people in your life adding slippery slimy soap or breaking
down the suds so you can gain firm footing?
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and
mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2
NIV
Back
to Psalm 1:1
How blessed is the man who
does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners,
nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm 1:1
3. Do not sit in the seat of scoffers.
How well God must like you — you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t
slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go
to Smart-Mouth College. Psalm 1:1 MSG
Scoffers NAS and mockers NIV go to
Smart-Mouth College. The Hebrew word is litz. It means to scorn, mock, deride,
or talk arrogantly. One of my favorite
definitions is “makes mouths at.” I can just see it. Litz doesn’t require words to express the derision at its
core. The exaggerated sense of one’s own
importance or superiority is conveyed through words, actions and facial
expressions. To scoff someone is to make
them an object of ridicule. The
dictionary defines “mock” as teasing, mimicking, belittling, or laughing at in
a scornful and contemptuous manner. Litz
is any attempt to gain power at another’s expense.
As we will see as we look at Scripture scoffing and
mocking is not a good thing. Does it
surprise you that God does it?
Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted. Proverbs 3:34 NAS
He mocks proud mockers, but
gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34 NIV
What do you imagine when you
read God “mocks the mocker”? He gives them a taste of their own medicine.
He bullies the bully. But, He is always
there with grace for those unjustly treated.
He is also always there for those who respond with humility rather than
the arrogance at the heart of scoffing and mocking. How
does this help when you are the recipient of this undeserved and relentless
treatment? God gives grace! God
manifests who He is. One aspect of grace
I believe He gives is the ability to respond graciously.
One of my favorite verses I found while studying this
subject is Job 21:3, where Job tells his “friends:”
Bear with me that I may
speak; then after I have spoken, you may mock. Job 21:3
The word “mock” is la’ag,
which has a very similar meaning to litz
– to mock, deride, ridicule. Literally it means “to speak barbarously.” Job statement simply takes away all the power
their comments were intended to grab.
“Proud,” “Haughty,”
“Scoffer,” are his names, who acts with insolent pride. Proverbs 21:24 NAS specifically
We need to understand that it is a pride that comes from a
sense of vulnerability. They mock, deride and belittle others in an attempt to
promote or protect themselves.
So then, what does
it mean to “sit in the seat of the scoffer?” It means choosing to join them. Yashav
moshav - “sit in the seat” - refers
to “a chosen place to settle.” It is
deciding where and with whom to identify. For me, sitting in the seat of the
scoffer conjures up the image of an arrogant group sitting off to the side or
above making rude comments, cracking jokes at others expense or simply being
intimidating. Once again we are warned
that as soon as we set ourselves apart or above
others we are asking for trouble. Why is it almost
always a group? There is not only strength
in numbers, but bravado. Are there
things you might say or do in a group you would never do alone?
Why would we even want to
“sit in the seat of the scoffer”? The answer is because it looks, feels and
sounds powerful. That “power” is deceptively magnetic. However, the one being
drawn into the deception is “the scoffer.”
A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not
discern words of knowledge. Proverbs 14:6,7
The reality is that it is in fact actually demeaning and
demoting.
The devising of folly is sin, and the
scoffer is an abomination to men. Proverbs 24:9
Reread Proverbs 14:7. What
are we supposed to do when we realize that we are in sitting with “scoffers”?
Why? Leave! Get off your behind and get out of there. The Hebrew says, You are not going to yada da’at = not going to know that you know what you are
suppose to know. You just might “know” what you have no business knowing.
Have you found yourself in
the unavoidable presence of those who are easily identified as foolish,
at odds with God, off target with what is right in general, or arrogant,
belittling or power hungry? Physically
leaving is not an option. How do you
apply the instructions of Psalm 1:1? You don’t walk, stand or sit. You
don’t let them determine the flow of your conversation and especially your
thinking. You don’t stand there and get swept up in their attitude or pursuit.
You definitely don’t settle in and willingly join them. You are friendly and
gracious. Most importantly, you don’t listen.
Many can be very demanding that you listen to them. Elihu
is a perfect example. Take a moment and
read what he insists on saying in Job 32 and 33. This would be funny if it wasn’t so
incredibly sad, rude and spiritually arrogant. When people are like Elihu, my
tendency is to tune them out. Most are a
lot more subtle and shrewd.
How vulnerable are you to
what you hear? This really is an important question. If we
are not paying attention to who we listen to, we can quickly ends up walking in
the counsel of the wicked, standing in the path of sinners and sitting in the
seat of scoffers, and then wonder why we are not experiencing great joy and
inner peace.
