REFUSE THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022.

SUBJECT : REFUSE THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY!

Memory verse: "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." (Psalm 1 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 1 vs 1 - 6:

1:1: Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

1:2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditate day and night.

1:3: He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

1:4: The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

1:5: Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

1:6: For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

INTIMATION:

Ungodliness is total lack of reverence for God, characterized by depravation, wickedness, sinfulness and so on. Therefore, the ungodly are those who do not honor God, who act in contravention of God’s demand. They are depraved (corrupt), wicked, sinful, outrageous, irreligious, unconscionable (immoral, not in accordance with conscience) persons. 

The Bible admonishes us not to seek counsel from the ungodly; those who refuse to honor God—those who discredit or ridicule Him. Such attitude is the same as mocking God; they ridicule those things God consider as important. Following them or taking their advice will obviously lead one to becoming indifferent to God’s will. 

God judges people on the basis of their faith in Him and their response to His revealed will. Those who diligently try to obey God’s will are blessed. In contrast, those who don’t trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. Only two paths of life lie before us—God’s way of obedience, or the way of rebellion and destruction. Be sure to choose God’s path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity.

The ungodly are unbelievers, who do not share the same faith with believers. They can be your relatives, colleagues, friends and acquaintances, and this makes it easy for them to find a common ground to counsel you on issues, and may lure you to do wrong and sin against God. Friends, relatives, colleagues can make you fall. It is difficult for people to accept the fact that friends and acquaintances may lure them to do wrong. 

Many people who want to be accepted would never confront or criticize a relative or friend for wrong plans or actions. Many other people can’t even see how their friends’ actions could lead to trouble. The most effective way of avoiding the counsel of your ungodly relatives, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances is to stay away from them—separating from them.

However, separation involves more than keeping a distance from sinful people and practices; it means staying close to God. It involves more than avoiding worldly people and entertainment; it extends to how we spend our time and money. There is no way to separate ourselves totally from all sinful influences. Nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around us, without either giving up or giving in. When you know what God wants you to do, make a clean break with sinful practices. Happy is the one who does not have a life-style of sin. Happiness comes from doing the the will of the Lord. 

While we should be accepting others, we need a healthy skepticism about human behavior. When you feel yourself being heavily influenced, proceed with caution. Don’t let anybody cause you to fall into sin. Instead be a heavy influence on them, and cause them to.turn to Christ. We should not make staying away from unbelievers a lifestyle, but rather a consequence of their behavior. Although Christians should avoid some places, but wherever they find themselves, they should let the light of God’s Word coming from them  illuminate the hearts of all the people around them.

Jesus demonstrated that we must go among unbelievers to help them. There is a difference, however, between being with unbelievers and being one of them. Acting like unbelievers—tagging along with them—harms your witnessing for God. Ask yourself about the people you enjoy: If you are with them often, will you become less obedient to God in outlook or action? If the answer is yes, carefully monitor how you spend your time with these people and their effect on you. Do your friends build up your faith or do they tear it down? True friends should help you to draw closer to God, not hinder your relationship with Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace never to take or seek the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. But let my delight be in Your law; and in it I will meditate day and night. In You alone do I put my trust forever. Help me, O Lord, to be a light to the unbelievers around me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!