Warning Signs

"Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence" (Proverbs 4:14-17).

It is so imperative that we not walk the path of the wicked that six critical commands are issued. The sense of urgency is obvious. Do not enter, walk, or go on that path! Do avoid, turn away from, and pass by the path of the wicked! To enter the way of the wicked, one would have to deliberately walk past six warning signs. They would have to climb over six barbed wire fences. To travel the path of those who hate God, someone would have to ignore six blaring sirens.

The warning sings, fences, and sirens are exposing the fact that those who do evil things are not just doing them, they are feasting on them. They are people who can't sleep because the hunger to do wrong gnaws at their soul. Their depraved guts crave violence. Their "bread and wine" are to do evil things. They can't sleep at night until they cause harm to someone.

How many warning signs have you ignored in your lifetime? How many sirens have gone unheeded? How many fences have you jumped in order to be in a place you don't belong? For me, there are too many to count. That is why my commitment is to walk a totally different path. I like to sleep at night and I have found that the best way to enjoy a good night's sleep is to live a life that honors God.

If you or I find ourselves on the path of the wicked, walking the way of the depraved; it is only because we have chosen to ignore the warning signs. It is because we have chosen to jump the fence. Let's be sure that when we feast, we feast on only the good things of God and not the "bread and wine" of the sleepless wicked.