Proverbs 1:15 “my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths.”
The ability to listen at the right moment to the right instructions can be genuinely life-defining. As a young man, I was a hard worker, and I think I prided myself on being willing to work longer and harder than most people. For 7 years I worked in a fish farm business in Scotland, with a variety of experiences from harvesting the fish, to gutting and filleting them in the factory. Often on a Friday night, I would watch the tail lights of the staff cars disappearing up the hill, back to their homes, their families and their arranged nights out. I would still be out in the loading bays, with a couple of other hardy guys, usually in driving rain, loading the 100’s boxes of salmon by hand, onto the delivery lorries that were heading off in several different directions all over the UK.
I was promoted, and at one point I was moved to the brand few state of the art facility in the nearest town and given a managers role there. There was another manager in place, and it was not going well, and my role was to bring in the necessary changes to help the business move forwards. I became a very vocal critic of this other manager, and at times I went too far. At one point the most senior person at the Company pulled me aside and said to me, “Allan, I am concerned for your future in the Company, if you continue to behave like this”.
I think what really registered with me was that his concern was not for my behaviour or even the impact on the other young manager. But, it was for me and my future. It stopped me in my tracks, and I heard what was said, and purposed then, that I would change my behaviour, and I did. I think as I go through life that’s the heart behind the tone of the voice of God that I recognise through Holy Spirit – that’s the voice I am hungry to stay close to, that’s where growth is found and destiny sealed.
KNOWLEDGE
A gentle but clear instruction, based on relationship, close familial relationship. Instructions are given, short, clear and to the point. We have heard what “they” have on offer in verses 11-14. The father’s voice is now heard, we are not to come alongside these people, nor allow them to come alongside us. The responsibility for the decision and the power of action is clearly indicated to be ours. “They” can’t make us do anything – we can choose to not go, no matter what the pressure, the peer pressure, the enticement, or the promise – we can choose which direction we take. No part of us should make any move to go in the same direction as “them”.
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UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? We are told not to “walk” in their ways. The word for walk-in Hebrew is pronounced, “hilak” and appears more than 1500 times in the Old Testament. If we unpack the word a little we see the idea of not continuing with people who are damaging your future, of being careful not to depart from good choices, to consider carefully who you follow in life, and even to take care that you don’t lose yourself. Little decisions around who you hang out with can have big outcomes. Get around people who will encourage and strengthen you.
WISDOM: What are the indicators that there is a step in front of you to take, and how do you work out whether to take this step or not take this step?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Focus is a beautiful Executing Strength – you set the direction, chart your progress, and bring others with you. Planning and milestones are everyday currency. You can easily blank out any and all distractions, and “keep your eye on the prize”. You naturally seek improvement, efficiency, effectiveness, and for your life to be productive. Don’t lose sight of others in the journey, and in “going for it” stay open to fresh insights and understanding.
P.S. – be careful the process does not blank out the people.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [beloved child avoid accompanying in life those who are intent on different values from those of God]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me to have great insights when I am faced with decisions that need to be made. Thank you!
Amen. “Avoid accompanying in life those intent on different values from those of God.” It is one important guiding principle.
Thanks for the practical reminder today, Ps Allan.
Yes, please Father help me to have insight and a discerning heart when I have to make decisions. I am having an issue with my manager at present, where I feel I have been wronged and therefore was refusing to meet her face to face and instead asking to have a wriiten explanation from her. In that time Pastror Allan, your prayers and today’s message has further given me the confidence to have a face to face meeting with my manager. God has not given me a spirit of fear but of love and of sound mind. Many thanks Pastor Allan.
We need to use great wisdom in choosing who influences us. As a young Christian I learned the vital lesson of cutting certain people out of my life for a number of years. Why? Because the influence they were was not good for me or my journey as a young man. Instead I chose to spend time with young men and women who were passionate for God and who sought first Christ and His Kingdom. This served me well in that it helped me to remain passionate and growing in Christ so that if I did come across old friends I was then an influence to them. The well trodden path is that because many take it but few use wisdom to take the right path!
“Take time to consider what is the biggest single thing you can work on today that will make the biggest single difference to the world you are in, and then choose to place your focus there.” This is a great thought and something I will take the time to do today!
This one is brilliant. Lesson is lIsten to instructions. There are those who genuinely care for My future. I liked the ‘Business Breakthrough, very wise words.
Great post Allan, loved it and find it helpful and practical. Thank you.
When I was a young girl, I remember visiting my mum who for a minor issue was admitted in hospital. I watched the Nurses in white uniforms hurrying to attend to another patient in same room as I was with my mum.
After watching them, a deep desire and vision came that I want to be a Nurse like them helping people to be well.
I kept this to myself. But how this is possible for me?
Now I can look back and see that was God’s calling in my life and from impossible to achieving that dream had many hills to climb along the way.
My parents poor & illiterates.
My 3 older brothers did not want a young sister to go away to distant state to study. My parish priest warned me that I should be like angels. There was common fear of being abused and being wayward once you leave your family and live away. I had huge opposition to get to nursing School.
BUT: it was “God’s Rescuing Plan” from where I was to bring me to His banqueting table “.
All I had was this Vision and the zeal and ignorant of the strategy and the tactic.
Thank God as a child though I was clueless, God’s Grace and Loving kindness is so great.
And I can confidently say “ GOD IS AWESOME IN MY LIFE “
From a very remote village: No Electricity, no Telephone, No TV of course and I had my first foot ware when I was in Middle School.
No reliable buses.
Only knowing the local language and broken Hindi and few English words (only read and write).
With the help of my eldest Brother we travelled to Mumbai by train My fist train journey. After 3 days we reach the destination.
By God’s Grace I was accepted in a private hospital with wonderful hostel facilities and a Very Kind Nursing Tutor.
After 10 years in Mumbai I was able to come to Australia on a P R visa and to work as a Nurse.
This was 48 years
“Keep your foot from their path “(proverbs I :15)
GOD has blessed me With His Grace of SALVATION and to be a Blessing!
“My Son “
WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO BE HIS OWN!!!!
THANK YOU JESUS!
Thank you Allan!
“My child ,don’t go along with them”
The voice of a loving father,advising his child to stay the path,to resist temptation and immoral company that will lead you to self destruction.
I love that story – and I think God is truly focused on our future and the path we are heading down – providing instruction to help us stick to the path!
Here again is a term of endearment for everyone & anyone as a clear directive exhorting us to be focused on emanating God’s values & standards for our life & not to be a follower & drawn in by people who are not to be trusted & their character is questionable. Thanks Allan for your transparency in sharing the tough life lessons which have molded you into the amazing Pastor who you are today!
Allan. I get so much out of your opening passages. I feel like I’m getting to know you just a little better each day and I greatfull for it. Amen.
I love the encouragement Allan to think about what is the biggest single thing you can work on today that will make the single biggest difference to the world you are in. Wow what a challenge to step outside the safe square and be led by the Holy Spirit each day. Instead of each day being predictable and same old, think of what God could do to turn your world upside down if we just took time to listen more.
Sounds like we have had similar experiences work wise I was the same
But I left my self open to hostile actions and words from others
Which forced me into a bit of a reclusive situation
Not wanting to be the person that rocks the boat I always backed off and generally left even if I lived the job it was always the people
In today’s situation I try to encourage and always find the best in people that I work with but really struggle when the street is not 2 way …. even though they are christians
And tbh it wears me down
These daily messages really encourage me to draw more on the Holy Spirit moments and press into prayer
Thank you Allan. Pure Gold!
Knowing God who He is what Jesus done for me and been grateful for all of that knowing that I’m weak but with Him I’m strong but. Also seen His hand providing and revealing himself during the hard times you can see that there is only one way and that is Jesus
The values He game me when my father wasn’t there The Hope he gave me to keep going and fight for a new life and a future
and giving us the Holy Spirit to conquer it all.
Wow trust His process.
Hi Allan
Basically a word I needed today, i was struggling with the world we live in. Ive taken it as a warning, don’t slide away back into the world and stay firm with the word (bible).
Thanks Allan
Apply Wisdom questions is great way to have clarity in every decision. I use Understand different between being efficient and effective to priorities work I have to do and now will add wisdom question and business strength too. Being efficient is pointless if you don’t know what you are striving for! Being effective means you know your direction and how to get there. Knowing your destination allows us to be effective!
Thank you Ps Allen get me thinking cap on!
A powerful morning of grateful reflection of those people who have loved me enough to speak. Whilst it’s often hard to hear if we are teachable it is a GOD send 🕊️
It is challenging to make decisions regarding when people we are close to don’t walk in the way of God. Father I pray that you take care of things that only you can do in your will. You are always good and righteous Father so I trust you have the best plans. In Jesus name, Amen.
Hearing the Father’s voice and identifying ”them“ then having the courage to not to walk in their ways. Most of the times it’s very difficult to say NO to people who are close to us but not walking in God’s ways.
Listening, identifying and obeying God’s instructions will lead to Life.
Thanks for the great insight Allan.
God bless you
How invaluable it is to have wise counsel when you need it most. To have someone who cares enough to stop you in your tracks and offer chastening words, even if they’re difficult to hear at first. Reflecting on my own life, there have been pivotal moments when elders or loved ones stepped in with life-changing advice. Sadly, there were times I rejected their counsel, often leading to regret when hindsight revealed their wisdom. Their care and courage to speak up remain a gift, even when it’s not immediately recognised.
Great insight Steven – thank you!