As we said last post, we now look at Proverbs 4:26-27 individually. The purpose for this is because of the depth and importance of this wrap up. We have referenced back to the evil and wicked already. But this last charge is for us who are believers. Those of us who desire to walk and follow the call of Jesus on our lives.

As we being, Proverbs 4:26 tells us to ponder. This word in the Hebrew means to make level, but it is translated as:

To weigh – Psalm 58:2; Isaiah 26:7

Made – Psalm 78:50

Ponder – Proverbs 4:26; 5:6

Ponders – Proverbs 5:21

Therefore, this word does have the idea to think and understand, but it means to level, weigh, made. The question is what are we pondering? We are pondering the path of our feet. Of course, we can and are going to bring out Psalm 119:105 and rightfully so. The only way we can properly ponder the path of our feet is if we have an objective standard by which to measure. The Word of God is that measure. It is the light to our path, but it is also the lamp so we can see. The interesting thing about this is the light shines outward showing what is coming, and a lamp illuminates where we are at. We are seeing the complete light to help on our present and future journey.

What are these things? We can turn to Proverbs 6:23. We won’t dig too deep on this because we will get to that Lord willing. But let us now start to look at this pondering of the path. To begin pondering requires of us a more presence of mind, not just an acceptance of what is said (Proverbs 14:15).

This is important and we will see time and again why. It is important for the following reasons:

1. By pondering our feet, it will keep us from turning aside and following other gods to serve them – Deuteronomy 28:14.

2. By pondering, we will be sure to be walking on the straight paths – Hebrews 12:13. The Scriptures are full of making sure our paths are straight, and we are gong to be able to follow God. But is it ourselves that do the straightening? Remember Psalm 119:105? I would also encourage us to look at Psalm 5:8. Our prayer is for the Lord to lead us straight, and to guard our path (Matthew 6:13). By looking to God, He will lead us on the straight path to Himself. This is also born out in 2 Thessalonians 3:3

3. By pondering our path, we are taking a preemptive position for we realize God also is pondering our paths (Proverbs 5:21). This can go back to some of the comments on number 2, but it also should cause us to be wary that we walk off the path we should be on. As a Christian, to walk of the path is to leave the path God has established and goes against His leadership. This of course will bring discipline. If we find ourselves in that place, then we are not to rebel against His hand of discipline. We can take the time to look at Proverbs 3:11-12 and Hebrews 12:6.

Do we have any Old Testament example of this call to consider the path or to ponder the path? Using the same word, no. But the concept is exactly what we find in Haggai 1:5, 7. In this context, the Jews were supposed to be building the Temple of God. But they didn’t. They focused on their homes, fields, well being, etc. Because of this, God tells them to consider their ways. They work, and never have enough. What they do get they bring home and it falls away. They put money in pockets with holes. Their entire work, because they were putting everything else first ahead of God, they were pondering the path of their feet looking at themselves rather than at God who deserved the best. It was not that they could not care for their needs. But as we see in Haggai 1:2-4, they knew they needed to build it but they kept putting it off and making excuses. That is the problem. They wandered from their path and God was disciplining them for it.

I know, this is a lot of Old Testament, but these same concepts come to us in the New Testament as well. This is why in Ephesians 5:15 that Paul tells us to walk circumspectly. This is pondering how we walk. It is a different word but it allows us to see the concept being brought forward. By pondering our walk and making sure we are walking as we should, we will find we will be established and there is a blessing that comes from this – 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

his establishing of our feet and the pondering of our way leads to only one end – Matthew 7:14. This happens, not because of our own goodness, but because it is through that pondering we consider the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we accept His sacrifice and believe on Him, we will be saved – Romans 10:9-10. From that salvation, we are made good (righteous is the Biblical word) and we find that our steps are guided by the Lord and in those paths, there is delight from Him toward us (Psalm 37:23). Does this mean we will be perfect? Absolutely not. Sin is still the war that is inside our lives, but we find that by walking in the path, when we do step off the path and find ourselves in sin, God is the one who can bring us out of that place and reset us (Psalm 40:2). That is why we should ponder our paths and the ways our feet go (Psalm 119:59). We should not be willing to have that as our fall back position, because we do not sin simply because grace is there. Paul teaches this in Romans 6:1-2, and it tells us that because we have grace we should not make sin a life practice. We are called out of that sin. We are called to a different life which is a life that is free to the Spirit (1 Peter 5:10. We are saved from that sin. We are saved to have a sure footing. We are saved to walk in the path that we are to walk. That path is found in the Word of God which is that lamp and light.

So what is the concluding factor for us in this first verse? I believe the best answer is found in Proverbs 1:15. Does this verse sound familiar? It should. It has overtones of what we covered in Proverbs 4:10-15 but what we find in Exodus 23:2; Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 13:20. My call for all who may be finding their feet not being pondered and who may feel they are not being established. The reason may be that you are walking off the path God intended. 2 Corinthians 6:17 may be the very call you need. Evaluate everything you do and where you walk. You are not hiding anything from God, as He sees everything. But you have a chance to see how you are walking so you may find the right and straight path that leads to life.

Now we then turn to Proverbs 4:27. There are two parts in this text that we must focus on. There is the call to not turn to the right or left, and to run form evil.

We do find some interesting words here. We find the word "turn". It is used some 215 times in the Scriptures and has the idea of extending, to bend, to turn aside, etc. It is not walking the straight path but is walking out of the path and into the wrong way. Remember, there are two ways we can go. We saw one already, the straight and narrow. There is another one: Matthew 7:13. This path is the easy one to walk on. It is the comfortable one to walk on. It is the...'turned' one to walk on. 

To start the turning, it is this call to stay walking on the right path that we spoke of in Proverbs 4:26. By pondering, it leads us to guarding our ways (paths) – Psalm 39:1. By doing so, we will not sin with our tongue and will restrain our mouth. This is key, especially as Brethren. We hold to a simple life and that includes simplicity of speech. What are some keys we find? We first find that in the multitude of words, there is sin (Proverbs 10:19). God knew this and so in the New Testament we are taught an important lesson in Matthew 5:37. Of course we can go further with this as we look at such texts as Proverbs 12:23; 13:5; 15:28; 21:23; Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 1:26; 5:12. I will leave these for them to confirm the truth on their own.

When we start to remove ourselves from evil, we must be aware it does take courage. Joshua needed this encouragement as well (Joshua 1:7; 23:6), and the reason is when we start to separate from the evil, they are going to wonder about us and that will also bring their hatred and scorn: John 15:18-21; Luke 6:22. It takes courage to do what is right. Many believers find it easier to go with the flow rather than swim against the current. But this violates what God wants from us as His people (Deuteronomy 5:32). We are called to have a straight path (Hebrews 12:13) so we can find healing as we are following God.

There is a second point that must be brought out is that by keeping our feet on the path and not turning around, it works to the preservation of our soul (Proverbs 16:17). Proverbs 4:27 plays in with Proverbs 4:26 as a way to help avoid the evil from Proverbs 4:14-17. What do we do if we again find ourselves in this place of evil? Again, Isaiah 1:16 is calling to be clean. God wants His people clean and that goes to the New Testament as well. We are to abhor evil. Not just tolerate it or ignore it but hate it! This is again reflecting the thought and command from Proverbs 1:15.

That is why we find the command to remove from evil (Proverbs 4:27). Again, a well used word (301 times), we have sen this word before in Proverbs 3:7 where we are to DEPART from evil. Also in Proverbs 4:24 when we are to PUT AWAY a deceitful mouth. 

Both has the idea of not just leaving it but depart from it, to remove yourself from it. A powerful word and idea is to ABOLISH it. Lenord Ravinhill once preached a sermon and he said,

Why is it the world could not get along with the most holy man in the world but it can get along with you and me?

Do we feel the smart? This is a Christian living in the Proverbs 4:14-17 passage. This should not be, dear beloved! 

How do we end this chapter of Proverbs? There is a lot of depth and as we saw the path we are to walk and to not be with the evil. I will sum up for three different groups here. I pray you hear me out no matter which one you are in. 

My first plea is this: If you are evil, and you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Do not put this off. Call upon Jesus for mercy and believe in Him. We have put a lot of verses here but we find throughout Scripture that God wants to redeem you from your evil ways. You are loved and God wants to redeem you. But He will not force you to accept Him. You have a choice. There is mercy for you at the foot of the cross but it will demand us to sacrifice ourselves.

My second plea is, If you are a believer who is finding yourself under the hand of God in discipline, do not hide from it. It is painful but it is meant to bring you back to the right path where you should be walking. Find the light and lamp. Abolish the evil and run from it. It will force you to change where you are at, what you do, and probably your entire being, but it is well worth it. 

Last plea, if you are a believer who is living and evaluating your path, be encouraged. You will be established, God is watching, and He takes great pleasure in your path that He has laid out before you.

I find Colossians 1:10 is very vital in this call. On par with this call from Colossians, Isaiah 30:21 rings through the ages: This is the Way: Walk in it!

Walk, not in evil, but in the path of truth, light, and Spirit. The way of the Scripture.