Take the Path of Knowledge

Do you remember all the times your parents said, "Listen to me. I'm warning you." They probably said something like that until they were blue in the face and you could recite the speech from memory. The Book of Proverbs repeats that knowledge is the key to life. "Listen to me. I'm warning you." Proverbs 4 says that a person on the path of knowledge sheds a light on the world that is brighter than the sun on its best day. In contrast, a person who chooses to do things his own way ends up on a path of destruction; his road gets so dark he can't see his hands in front of his face and then he falls flat on his feet.

 

You may already have friends on that dark path that leads to nowhere, or it could be that you have taken a few steps down that road yourself. If it is a friend you see, I encourage you to talk to that friend and warn him, at the least be an example and not a stumbling block. If it is you who needs the help, seek God's Word and find His direction for your life. Find a friend who can help you take the road that is not as crooked. We are not meant to live life alone.

 

Let's look at Proverbs Chapter 4.

 

Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live. I'm giving you good counsel; don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother, he would sit and drill me: "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you--live! Sell everything and buy Wisdom. Forage for Understanding! Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch! Never walk away from Wisdom--she guards your life; love her--she keeps her eye on you. Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding! Throw your arms around her--believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go--she'll make your life glorious. She'll garland your life with grace; she'll festoon your days with beauty."

Dear friend, take my advice, it will add years to your life. I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way. I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don't want you to end up in blind alleys or wasting time making wrong turns. Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well--your life is at stake! Don't take Wicked Bypass; don't so much as set foot on that road. Stay clear of it; give it wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.

Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble. They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody. Perversity is their food and drink; violence is their drug of choice.

The ways of right-living people glow with light. The longer they live, the brighter they shine.

But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker--travelers can't see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.

 

Have you known someone who is "evil"? Some people just live to make wrong choices, for drama, and to live in chaos. It is so exhausting watching people waste their lives away. It is exhausting being in their lives if you happen to be in their way. Stay clear of them!

 

I ask you. Which path do you want for your life? The path that is lit with knowledge, peace, and direction? Or, the path that is dark, chaotic, and unknown? I for sure want the easier path and want to be on it at all times. I can only do that with God and if I stay in touch with God through His Word and through prayer.