Not Entering the Path of the Wicked - Proverbs 4:14

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is your life”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “enter not into the path of the wicked” where we read,

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

The verse begins, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “enter not into the path” or “do not go, come, proceed or be enumerated in the way, road, travel and passing of life” “of the wicked” which means “belonging to the criminal, guilty of crime, evil and hostile to God”. Solomon instructed his son not to go into the traveled road belonging to the people who are evil and hostile to God.

The verse continues, “and go not in the way of evil men.” Solomon added the words, “and go not in the way” or “and do not enter, come, proceed or be enumerated within the road, travel and passing of life” “of evil men” which means “belonging to bad, disagreeable, malignant and displeasing people whether male or female”. Solomon told his son not to proceed along the path and traveled road belonging to people who are malignant and displeasing to God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Solomon wanted to protect his son from people who are evil and hostile to God, and he instructed him to never be enumerated with people who are wicked. God desires to keep us from others who are hostile to Him and refuse to keep His ways. He gave His Son Jesus to the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us on His “straight” path and away from the roads of wicked and evil people. (See Matthew 7:!4)

Next time Solomon says to his son, “avoid it, pass not by it”, 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".