Proverbs 4:14-19
“Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”
Q: Compare/Contrast the paths of the righteous and the wicked. Why do the wicked not realize they are stumbling on the path they take?
Righteous: This path is full of light, encouragement and is clear.
Wicked: This path is dark, evil and violent and causes those who take it to stumble.
The wicked do not know they are stumbling because they are blinded by sin.
Psalm 16:11
“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Q: What do you notice about the path God sets before us?
God makes His way known! His path is full of joy and eternal pleasures.
Picture
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Q: What is the picture that Jesus is describing here? Why do you think the way of the Christian is narrow?
Jesus describes the multitude (world) trying to get through the wide gate because it is easy to get through (every one is allowed), but the Christian should choose the narrow path, even though it may be difficult and bumpy. The way of the Christian is narrow because there is only one WAY to get through it – by having faith in Jesus Christ!
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
Q: What is Jesus saying to us in this passage? What does practicing lawlessness look like?
There are some who have served God in impressive ways (performing miracles, casting out demons) but will be turned away from heaven at the judgment because they lived a double life. We need to be true to Christ and live for Him no matter where we are or who we are around! Practicing lawlessness is doing anything against what God and His scripture commands us – partying, drinking, doing drugs, being sexually impure, talking poorly of others, etc.
Paul
Romans 8:14 – “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Q: How does the Spirit lead you?
The Spirit convicts us of our sin, helps us remember the things we’ve learned of God and also helps us pray! We need to continually ask the Spirit to lead and guide us.
Peter
2 Peter 2:1 – “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”
Q: Why is it so important to know the truth and obey God? Are you on the narrow or the broad path?
If we know the truth in our hearts, then we cannot be easily tricked by those that want to lead us astray or get us into trouble.
Example: “I want to be on the narrow path, but I have been walking down the broad path in continual sin with the wrong crowd. I need to repent and run back to Jesus, even if it’s hard.”
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?
