READING: Proverbs 4:1-6:19, 2 Corinthians 2:5-3:6
The words of the writer of Proverbs are filled with simple wisdom—so simple that it seems we stumble over them at times. In his discussion of the “way of the wicked” (Prov 4:19), the writer clearly and forcefully reminds us to avoid the trap of wickedness: “Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by” (Prov 4:14-15). Indeed, he piles up the phrases to make his point so clearly that surely we won’t miss it: stay away from evil.
Still, though, we do sometimes miss it. Or, perhaps we sometimes simply ignore it. The lure of evil is sometimes so strong, and we are often so inclined toward sin, that we go where we shouldn’t go and hang out with people we shouldn’t hang out with—and then wonder why we fall. Perhaps we would walk more faithfully with God if we “keep [our] feet away from evil” (Prov 4:27).
May God help us to be so wise!
PRAYER: “God, help me to turn away from evil today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 6:20-8:36, 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6