RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-06-17	What Is The Counsel of the Ungodly? (Ps.1:1-2)
		Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Perhaps Psalms opens with a negative because it is easy to follow ungodly counsel. It is all around us. Psalms opens up with a choice every person must make. One route is the way of the righteous, which leads to blessing. The other route is the “path of sinners” (v.2), which ends in destruction. The Hebrew word for “counsel” is a noun meaning “something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action. The “ungodly” are wicked people who are characterized by godless actions and advice. To walk in the counsel of the ungodly means to embrace advice from the wicked. So to not walk in the counsel of the ungodly is to reject their advice. This certainly does not mean you do not have unbelieving friends, but you must discern godly from ungodly advice. Discernment means to avoid any guiding influence that might direct one's way of life toward ungodliness. There is a natural progression here. We are to not “walk” in their counsel, nor “stand” in their path, nor “sit” in the seat. The picture is of one who “walks” next to sin, then stops and “stands” to take it in, then finally is “sitting” in sin's seat to enjoy its fleeting pleasure (He.11:25). Not walking, standing, or sitting with the ungodly implies steering clear of sin by avoiding participation in the sinner's way of life. 1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." The same principle of not letting evil 'rub off' on you is given in Proverbs (22:24-25). Pro 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Pro 22:25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul. A Christian cannot expect to make forward progress if he seeks counsel from sinners or makes plans with unbelievers (2Co.6:14). The person who chooses the righteous way of life avoids thinking like the ungodly (Pr.13:20). Pro 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. A Christian should apply biblical truth to his daily life allowing it to be a lamp to guide his feet, and a light for his path (Ps.119:105). As we daily ready, study, and meditate on scripture it changes the way you think. We will no longer love the world or the things in it (1Jn.2:15-17). God calls His children to choose the way of righteousness. That is, to be set apart and not follow the “wisdom” of this world. So, the one who does not walk, stand, or sit with the ungodly will “delight” and “meditate” in the law of the Lord (Pr.1:2). Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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