Avoiding and Turning Away from Evil Men - Proverbs 4:15

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men”, and in chapter four and verse fifteen of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “avoid it, pass not by it” where we read,

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

The verse begins, “Avoid it, pass not by it, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “avoid it” or “keep away and separate from the path of the wicked and the way of evil men”, “pass not by it” which means “do not march over, cross or traverse it, the path of the wicked and the way of evil men”. Solomon instructed his son to separate himself from the evil and wicked person's way, and he was not to cross over or traverse it.

The verse goes on to say, “turn from it, and pass away.” Solomon continued with the words, “turn from it” or “separate and apart from the path of the wicked and the way of evil men”, “and pass away” which means “and alienate, carry, take or cross over their path”. Solomon said his son should separate himself from the ways of wicked and evil people and be alienated from them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon ordered his son not to be affiliated with the ways of wicked and evil people. He was to make himself as a foreigner or alien to their pernicious activities and deeds because Solomon wanted the best for his son's life. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us by His Holy Spirit to avoid the ways, acts and deeds of wicked and evil people.

Next time Solomon says of the wicked, “they sleep not, except they have done mischief”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".