Descent

Have you ever watched a relative’s or a friend’s life descend out of control? Maybe your own life has done that. They seem normal and reasonably happy, but then changes occur that cause you to worry about them. They begin to withdraw. When they do speak, their words are quite negative. They start to hangout with a different crowd, one that doesn’t bring many positive influences.

Alcohol and drug addictions can certainly be the causes of these types of behaviors. We should certainly be aware of these dangerous activities. But the Bible describes another type of behavioral descent. Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Notice the downward progression. First, this person simply walks by where evil lurks and talks to him. But then, this person is found standing with sinners. Finally, he begins to take up residence in evil places, where sin dwells.

We can’t let evil put its hooks in us, like this passage describes. Even the smallest flirtation with sin can lead us into this descent. So what is the remedy? Verse 2 goes on to describe the blessed man; “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” So instead of walking, standing and sitting where sin dwells, we must stay where God’s Word directs us.

If we stay in God’s Word, verse 3 gives us a promise; “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” By staying in God’s Word we will bear fruit and prosper.