Beware The Ruinous Rut!

Solomon warned…
“Good sense wins favor, BUT THE WAY OF THE TREACHEROUS IS THEIR RUIN.” ( Proverbs 13:15 ESV)

According to the footnote in the English Standard Version, the word translated “ruin” could read “rugged” or “is an enduring rut.” Strong’s lexicon notes the word as coming from a Hebrew root meaning “to continue.” Oh, how easy it is to follow in the same things until we find we have dug a rut of which it is difficult to get out.

The New King James Version reads, “Good understanding gains favor, BUT THE WAY OF THE UNFAITHFUL IS HARD.” [NKJV, © 1982, Thomas Nelson] Perhaps the way being “hard” implies the idea of the beaten path.

We need to guard against just going through the motions of things in this life. What is the purpose behind what we are doing? Is our life marked by some definite direction or is it merely a meandering about? Have we gotten so comfortable in a rut (our life routines) that we have stopped growing and progressing in Christian faith and maturity? It has been noted that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the dimensions. A rut can lead to stagnation and eventual spiritual death.

It is important to exercise GOOD SENSE IN CHOOSING THE PATH we travel in life. The “beaten path” -- the path that becomes a deep rut -- may merely be so because of the many who travel it. That does not necessarily mean it is the good and right path. (i.e. Matthew 7:13-14)

David prayed…
“TEACH ME YOUR WAY, O LORD, AND LEAD ME ON A LEVEL PATH because of my enemies.” ( Psalm 27:11 ESV)

And his son Solomon advised…
“(25) Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. (26) PONDER THE PATH OF YOUR FEET; THEN ALL YOUR WAYS WILL BE SURE. (27) DO NOT SWERVE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT; turn your foot away from evil.” ( Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV)

May we continue to give DILIGENT THOUGHT TO HOW AND WHERE WE ARE WALKING. As Paul encouraged the Ephesian brethren, “Look carefully then how you WALK, not as unwise but AS WISE.” ( Ephesians 5:15 ESV) Ultimately such good sense wins God’s favor.

Have a great day WALKING IN THE FAVOR OF GOD!
Carl

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