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14. ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
How often does fellowship with the wicked loosen the fast hold of instruction! Their path is so contrary to the way of instruction, that the very entrance into it is forsaking the way of God. Their character is here drawn in their Father's image — first sinners, then tempters. Mischief is their meat and drink. (Job 15:16. Psalm 14:4.) ‘To do evil is more proper and natural than to sleep, eat or drink.’† With sleepless eagerness do they pursue their work (Job 24:15, 16. Psalm 36:4. Micah 2:1), caring little for any lengths of violence, so that they do mischief, or cause some to fall. (Chapter 1:10-14, 16; 2:14; 24:2. Psalm 10:8. 2 Peter 2:14.) Judas with his midnight torches (John 18:3); the early morning assemblage of the Jewish rulers (Luke 22:66); the frenzied vow of the enemies of Paul;† and many a plot in after ages against the Church — all vividly portray this unwearied wickedness.
Yet if we be preserved from this undisguised malignity, what are all the allurements for every rank and circumstance of life, but the more subtle poison of the murderer? A light-minded young person pours into his companion's ear — simple and inexperienced in the ways of sin — perhaps filthy conversation; or presents before him images of lasciviousness. What but a rooted principle of grace can save his unsuspecting victim? Or again — the venomous infidel, intent upon “spoiling” (Colossians 2:8) his fellow-creature of his most precious treasure, drops into his bosom the repetition of the first lie. (Genesis 3:4.) No principle appears to be given up, no fundamental doctrine denied; yet the foundation of an unwavering confidence is shaken to pieces. And is not this mischief and violence as the murderer's stab?
Surely then it is mercy, that forbids needless intercourse with the evil man. (Ephesians 5:11.) With a constitution prone to evil, when the alternative is whether we shall shun or dare the danger, can we doubt our path? The whole Scripture is on the side of caution, to hazard nothing except on a plain call of Providence. ‘Because we are free, we may not run wild.’† Half our virtue we owe to being out of the way of temptation. Observe how the wise man heaps up his words — Enter not into the path — no — not so much as set thy foot into it. If some accident throws thee into it, go not on in it; avoid it with detestation.† Pass not by it, lest thou shouldest unwittingly turn in. (Chapter 5:8.) Not only avoid it when near, but avoid nearness to it. It is like living in the atmosphere of contagion, in the midst of virulent and fatal disease. The earnest repetition of the warning shows at once the imminency of the danger, and the certainty of the injury. The world around us is the action of mind upon mind. We are continually, through the medium of intercourse, molding ourselves by other minds, and other minds by our own. Intercourse with the ungodly must, therefore, be fraught with fatal contamination. (1 Corinthians 15:33. Psalm 106:35. Chapter 22:24, 25.) The occasions, the company, the borders of temptation — all must be avoided. (Chapter 9:10, 15. Genesis 31:9, 10.)
Young people are apt to plead with those who have the charge of their best interests — ‘What harm is there in this or that path?’ Apart from other evils — this is plain. It is a contagious atmosphere. You are drinking in poison. It is far more easy to shun the occasion of sin, than the sin when the occasion presents it; to resist the beginnings than the progress of sin. There must, therefore, be no tampering with it; no trial of strength, to see how far our resolutions will keep us. Let the examples of Lot (Genesis 13:10-13; 14:12), Dinah (Genesis 34:1, 2), Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-5), Peter (Matthew 26:58, 69-74), warn us, how far only the entrance into the path of the wicked may carry us; lengths that we could never have contemplated in prospect without horror. It may appear an harmless outset. But how far on? The entrance is fatally connected with the next step onward. The frightful extent of the probability of falling might make the boldest tremble. Those at least, that know their own corruption and weakness, will shrink back, where you tread lightly. Here and there, indeed, there may be some special miracle of preservation. But no one comes out of the path without hurt (2 Chronicles 18:1-3; 19:2; 20:35-37); and the general issue is an open door to ruin. To pretend to dread sin without fearing temptation, is self-delusion. Satan has too nearly allied them for us to separate them. The evil company is loved, then the evil of the company.† To pray “not to be led into temptation;” yet not to “watch, that we enter not into it” — is practically to contradict our prayers; to mock our God, by asking for what we do not heartily wish. “Walk then with God and with his people, separate from an ungodly world.” (Chapter 9:6. 2 Corinthians 6:17.) Yet do not presume upon safety, even in separation from the ungodly. The whole tempting world may be presented to your imaginations. The unsearchable deceitfulness of the heart may bear fearfully upon you. The tempter may in solitude, as with our Lord, put forth his special power. (Matthew 4:1.) Walk closely with God in secret, and he will spread his almighty covering over you for your security. Avoid fellowship with them, who hinder your fellowship with God. (Psalm 119:63, 114, 115, also 17:4; 26:4, 5.)
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