Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)
We are to be very careful in choosing those whom we run with. Chuck Swindoll once quipped that if you take a white glove and run it through mud it no longer remains white, Amen? We all too often become like the ones we keep company with, right? It is much easier to blend rather than to stand out or alone. But God. He is the One Who strengthens and empowers us to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, enabling us to please Him in all that we say and do and think. And we can depend upon Him. He will never let the righteous fall – those who seek Him wholeheartedly find Him assuredly. Yet, it is all too common to find ourselves blending like faux stones rather than standing out and shining brightly like radiant diamonds.
When we are beautiful inside, it is demonstrated on the outside by our Christlike, loving actions. Conversely, the same is true for those filled with evil thoughts and intentions – their actions demonstrate their true selves as they blend with the world with all its evil desires and lusts. And God wants His children to stand out not blend. Indeed, He tells us a companion of fools suffers harm. And wisdom is indeed always proved right by her actions.
The wisdom in Proverbs tells us to steer clear of the path of the wicked as it leads only to ruin. We see in Proverbs 4:14-17 (NIV): “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” It ends in deep darkness and ignorance - not pretty, to say the very least. Sin is never our friend rather our enemy, dragging us down and blinding us from God’s very best. In contrast, the way of the righteous is the pathway of wisdom and freedom (not bondage). The righteous are given light so that they walk unhindered. They do not stumble or fall as the Lord upholds them with His righteous right hand. Remember, Jesus is our Friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Scripture tells us we are to walk as Jesus did. He is to be our perfect example and He came to flesh out this life for us to see and emulate. Further, He equipped us through the power of the Holy Spirit to walk this amazing path of righteousness.
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV)