«Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his Law Day and night» (Psalm 1: 1, 2, NIV).
A YOUNG THEOLOGY STUDENT asked for permission to leave the dormitory one Friday night. The dean warned him that near the place where he wanted to go, there was a stadium, where their national football team would be playing that very night.
«Don’t stop along the way,» he warned him.
«Don’t worry, sir, I won’t,» the young man assured him, convinced of his good judgment.
Walking toward his destination that Friday night, the young man suddenly saw a group of people standing in front of a large television screen, watching the broadcast of the football game. He stopped to see what the score was like, and eventually made himself comfortable. The next day, he was seen in newspaper photos, happily celebrating with that group of fans. He received a sanction from the university, since it was and Adventist school.
Tie young man in this story would have done well to thoroughly know the first chapter of the book of Psalms. The first verse of this passage gives us three pieces of advice that are very useful as we interact with people whose habits are not Christian.
Do not walk in step with the wicked.»A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident» (Proverbs 14:16). Does this matter to you? Then avoid the company of the ungodly. Why? Because «the thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful» (Proverbs 12:5). Do not allow yourself to be deceived.
Do not stand in the way that sinners take. When you stand still, you show the tendency, or desire, to sin, to cling to sin, and to travel along a path that is not what God designs for His daughters. Continue in your Christian walk with your mind centered on the things of God, without stopping to see what it is that people whose interests are far from the Lord are doing.
Do not sit in the company of mockers. In fact, do not sit down to watch them, because when you decide to sit down, it is a sign that you have decided to get «happily» comfortable in the path of sin. Be blessed; avoid being carried away by the advice of the ungodly or stopping in their path and sitting down with them. Delight in God.