Proverbs 5:8 “Keep a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house.”
As a boy growing up in Edinburgh I lived in a very old part of the town. There were many derelict buildings, ruined houses, overgrown gardens and creepy lanes and passages.
On wild autumn moonlit nights with dark rushing clouds up-lit from sulphur-yellow street lights my imagination would run wild and I would sometimes feel like hiding, shivering, in the cold tenement basement stair-wells.
There were rumours of a “red lady” who would appear at windows in a nearby empty house. I was too scared to glance at the windows on the way past, even on a summers day.
We would dare each other to go into empty gardens, or to stand inside the graveyard gates at dusk, or even to go into condemned or derelict buildings. Most times I would end up fleeing through the lanes and streets, running for the safety of the known from the unknown.
Of course, now as a grown man, I know better, and I no longer have anything to prove.
But even today there are places in life and aspects of life that would like to draw me in that are not good for me or my future.
In Psalm 16:6 [ISV] it is written, “The boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places for me; truly, I have a beautiful heritage.”
This scripture allows me to ask myself great questions each day about where my boundaries are in my thinking, emotions, physical and intellectual life, and to position myself for a “beautiful heritage”.
KNOWLEDGE
Run, run for your spiritual life. Get as far removed as possible, 7. Take action, be proactive, step in, mobilise, recognise, and strategize. Don’t glance, look, or stare, don’t edge closer, drift off course, or slip down.
Be deliberate, don’t go into that part of town, don’t stumble into that district, don’t wander into that street, and don’t gravitate towards that door. Trouble waits for you there, degradation is posted there to take you out, and bitterness will fill your cup till overflowing. You will know what it is to be full…….of sorrows, regrets, pain, and self-remonstrations.
No matter how good it sounds, smells, or looks, it is the highway to destruction, and the consequences of your choices will be sourness in your soul.
You are warned, pay heed. This is very much the wrong way.
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?
The word for “door” in Hebrew is pronounced “petah” and is found 164 times in the Old Testament. In the ESV this word is translated into the following English words. Door; entrance; socket [of the temple]; and, gates.
In verse eight here we can consider amplifying “door” to include any way in, literal and figurative.
WISDOM – where are you seeing a drift in your life?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Deliberative works well in the boundary areas of life, makes inspired relational decisions and naturally steers away from snares and distractions. It’s wise to pause and consider.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [maintain your conduct and way of life distant and remote, do not come near, be brought near or even approach the open way to her understanding or home.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to know my boundaries well and to observe them with joy and peace. Thank you!
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
Hi ps Allan; thx u for God words; yes agreed with u
We are family
Part of God family
His chid
His son -daughters
Thought blood of the King of King
We r called in our new life
Listen
Listen
Hear obedience to Him
Then r beautiful words; About boundaries is respect to others and also pray For our spirit Don’t trough crossing the boundaries
God love is genuine
Thx u
God bless
Such a significant scripture and thought.
So important to stay the path, not detour, or become distracted. To ensure we stay aligned in God’s word.
This scripture allows me to ask myself great questions each day about where my boundaries are in my thinking, emotions, physical and intellectual life, and to position myself for a “beautiful heritage”. Love this!
Thank you pastor Allan
Like so much for this reminder. Thank you for always bringing God’s words to our life to always guard our heart, thinking, emotions, physical & intellectual life. We stand strong to keep our beautiful heritage as a God children and faithful people. Amen
Great thoughts again Allan! I love the thought of consistency. Many people start the journey so we’ll and so much promise but sadly for some the ending is not so bright. The difference is always consistency, in the small things and the big, it’s being consistent in our boundaries that keeps us doing well on the journey we’ve started.
Thank you for todays message Pastor Allan. Over stepping our boundaries can certainly lead us down a path of no return. But knowing God and adhering to His words and plan for our lives is such a blessing. Thank you Jesus for leaving the Holy Spirit as our helper.
Wow your strength thought is so on point.
Deliberative works well in the boundary areas of life, makes inspired relational decisions and naturally steers away from snares and distractions. Its wise to pause and consider.
Be deliberative. Thanks Ps Allan.
Psalm 16:6
Speaks about boundaries in our lives.
There is so much temptation in this world.so boundaries are important to be kept,so we know where to draw the line.
When we chose to proceed beyond that line,we know what to expect on the other side.
Sorrow ,pain and regret.
I pray God will continue to guide and lead me and help me to stay away from things that are harmful to my future.
What a blessed word of warning thank you Ps Allan . I especially here the emphasis in your words of knowledge,
“ Be deliberate, don’t go into that part of town, don’t stumble into that district, don’t wander into that street, and don’t gravitate towards that door. Trouble waits for you there, degradation is posted there to take you out, and bitterness will fill your cup till overflowing. You will know what it is to be full…….of sorrows, regrets, pain, and self-remonstrations.
No matter how good it sounds, smells, or looks, it is the highway to destruction, and the consequences of your choices will be sourness in your soul.
You are warned, pay heed. This is very much the wrong way.
So so true a revelation of this verse Amen
So well articulated and drives home the verses point to us . It’s a warning I pray over this family and my children making decisions in this life .
Thank you for your wisdom written to us also
Thanks again Pastor Allan for such descriptive language about your youth!
Here I see it so important about where I position myself to safeguard myself from falling into temptation. Trappings of this world can appear very harmless & even very enticing & it can only take one impulsive step to start to walk down the wrong path which can lead to making bad choices & lead you astray! Therefore I see daily positioning myself in the Word of God listening to His voice keeping in right fellowship with solid wise companions & giving my full attention to His wise instruction will help to put up roadblocks to not take a step which could well be detrimental to my calling & destiny in Him. Also I think it important to seek wisdom in situations where there may be an opportunity to influence others by becoming friends because this may well draw you away from God as well. A good reminder that above all seek wisdom!!
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for this message. Your descriptions are so vivid I almost feel I’m staring at the scary street that leads to her door.
The daredevil attitude of youth and inexperience that could easily be our downfall, is clearly depicted here. We are warned to stay clear of the street that can only lead to tragedy. We need to heed the warning, stay within God’s boundaries and be safe in Him.
there was a time that I constantly aware of others and want to prove my self to them. I learnt lessons the hard way that, it is not needed. Because they will not change their opinion on my self and there is nothing I am gonna gain by doing so.
As far as I know and GOD knows…thats more than enough…
people who loves me, do not require me to prove anything to them and those who need, they are not worth it.
It’s always very important to safeguard our hearts and keep making the right choices in life. Stay the path.
Such an important truth to stand by each and every day with such profound illustrations of the importance of not straying anywhere near any kind of ‘evil’. A truth that we need to teach our children and earnestly pray that their steps would be guided and protected by God.
‘Run, run for your spiritual life. Get as far removed as possible, 7. Take action, be proactive, step in, mobilise, recognise, and strategize. Don’t glance, look, or stare, don’t edge closer, drift off course, or slip down’…. such strong and powerful words of what to do and what not to do.
Thank you for once again bringing such clarity and depth to scripture Allan.