VERSE:
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
— Psalm 119:101

THOUGHT:
Some people play a little too close to the fire. They say things like “I have freedom in Christ. I can go to the club without it being a sin… after all; Jesus hung out with sinners… right?” However, the Psalmist recognized that though being around a sinful setting (an “evil path”) isn’t necessarily a sin, he needed to intentionally keep his feet from EVERY evil path so that he would not sin (or so that he would obey God’s word). Separation from sinful surroundings is crucial to growing in God. Separating yourself from evil enables you to obey God. When you are around evil, you will be tempted to join in; not necessarily in the act, but even approval of the act.

APPLICATION:
No matter how strong you think you are, you need to exercise wisdom. If you have not completely severed yourself from sinful settings (evil paths) for the sake of being “light in the darkness”, stop deceiving yourself and get out. Keep your feet from every evil path so that you might obey God’s word. The only time you should ever go into the world is to transform the world with the power of the gospel.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for keeping me from every evil path. As I separate myself from sinful settings, help me to obey your word. If I am ever around a sinful setting, it is so that I can impact the sinners with the gospel message. Transform me daily into the likeness of your son. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!