Proverbs 2.20-22
“So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.” (Proverbs 2:20-22)
Proverbs chapter 2 repeatedly refers to walking on the right path and following the right way.
“The paths of justice” in verse 8.
“The ways of his saints” in verse 8.
“Every good path” in verse 9.
“The paths of uprightness” in verse 13
“The paths of life” in verse 19
“The way of the good” in verse 20.
“The paths of righteousness” in verse 20.
The point is that there are two very different ways to live your life: on-path or off-path. The on-path life is lived in obedience to God’s truth. It is directed by the Lord’s standards of rightness and is guided by his wisdom.
The off-path life is the way of foolish people. It is directed by impulse and self-centeredness and does not follow God’s standards. Note how Proverbs chapter 2 describes the off-path life:
“The way of evil.”
“The paths of darkness.”
“Crooked paths.”
“Devious ways.”
Life is a constant battle for which path you are going to follow. The challenge is that the off-path life is easy, attractive, and popular, whereas the on-path life is often inconvenient, uncomfortable, and unpopular. This is precisely Jesus’ message in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Thus the central message of the book of Proverbs: The Lord’s wisdom gives you the discipline to stay on-path, as well as the discernment to recognize and reject the deceitful people and distorted ideas that want to take you off-path. Be watchful every day about the path you are following.
Here are five practical steps for an on-path life:
- Clarify the path. (Read, listen to, and study the word of God)
- Get on the path. (Obey the word. Follow the directives of scripture)
- Do the work the path requires. (Trust God and train yourself in godliness)
- Say no to anything off-path. (Turn away from the things of the fallen world)
- If you drift off-path, get back on-path asap. (Be accountable. Allow God’s standards and God’s Spirit to correct and redirect you)
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5.15-16)
