Be wise - Follow the rules

"25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil."       Proverbs 4:25-27   NLT

A few years back in the UK, there was a 100 metre athlete called Linford Christie. At the time, no one could beat him although some came close. Christie was famous not only for his running skills but, also for his rituals prior to the race. He would jump up and down, kneel and go over the same thing again. If there was a false start, he would go all through these rituals once more. The most well known ritual was his eyes. He would bulge them out so much that you could imagine his eyes popping out of their socket. I remember a TV interview he had where he told the interviewer that when he did this, he was focusing on the winning tape and also doing this he was blocking out the chaps either side of him who could be a distraction.

Here Solomon says something similar 'Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.' He had a similar idea; if you look to the right or left instead of straight ahead, you may become distracted, or as Solomon says 'sidetracked,' It is so easy to lose your focus and when we do, we stand the risk of being tempted into something we shouldn't be involved in.

Bible.ref says:

'The wise person refuses to be distracted from his goal. This keeps him on the task. It also avoids temptations from the example of evil people (Proverbs 4:14–15). For the Christian, the goal is to finish the race well by doing the will of God (1 Cor 9:24–27; and 2 Timothy 4:7). The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1–2).' 

Sadly, this is one of the major problems for people who have an addiction. Someone may tempt them or they go to a place where it is certain that they will satisfy their yearning and they are hooked again. When you have an addiction it is not easy to avoid these obstacles. They are so willing to trip you up. So this is why we look straight ahead; we train ourselves to look straight at Jesus and refuse point blank to be tempted to look elsewhere. It takes practice but, with perseverance it can be done.

To help, check out verse 26. 'Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.' 

This means to carefully consider the path for your feet. In other words, use you sword - the bible to guide you at all times. 'Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.' Proverbs 3:6.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.