Listen:
“Do not envy the violent, and do not choose any of their ways, for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in His Confidence.” (Proverbs 3:31-32)
Reflect:
It is usually tempting to admire the violent, corrupt and ruthless people who seem successful and powerful and feel envious of their achievements. To decide to admire their wicked ways can lead one to imitate and copy those wicked ways through walking in step with them and practicing their acts of the dark. The path of the violent is not accepted by God but it is considered pure evil.
Psalms 1 describes the way of the wicked as chaff that the wind blows away that only leads to destruction but also states that the way of the righteous leads to only a fruitful outcome and is most pleasing to God.
It is important to believe and hold in high reverence and obedience what God values. God brings close and offers his intimate friendship to those who are straight, morally upright and live after Godly living. He shares His thoughts, secrets and fellowships with them, enabling them to experience the benefits that come with believing God’s Word and eventually being a disciple and a representation of God’s righteousness to any place or circumstance one finds themselves in.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, here I am—Give me Your heart of unwavering faith to love you and stand firm against all predestined temptations of the wicked one set in my path. I desire to see through Your eyes and hear through Your ears what is in Your will. God take full control of my emotions and spiritual intuition that I may always be close to You and flee the company of the Wicked. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- What does choosing the ways of the wicked look like in modern daily life?
- What does being a perverse person mean to God?
- Think of different ways you can draw close to God in intimate friendship?
- Which of these brings you genuine peace: being in the company of God or the wicked?
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): Lord draw me closer to You moment by moment.
Exhale(Breathe out): Empower me to overcome evil with righteous living.
Inhale(Breathe in): Lord strengthen my ways in Your righteous path.
Exhale(Breathe out): Preserve me from being enticed to follow the wicked path.
—Submitted by Lucy Alupo
Lucy lives in Uganda and is an alumni of LSM Uganda thanks to her connection with For-Grow ministries who introduced her to Lifesprings’ ministry. She loves to share about her Christian faith and beliefs, is an author and currently involved in Tax Consulting.