Psalm 1: How to avoid falling into sin

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” -Psalm 1:1-3

What is a divine blessing? It is a great leap or advancement in any area of life that is not commensurate to one’s effort, it is an immeasurable increase in human development and it can be in academic, occupational, material, spiritual or financial terms. Every one prays for a divine blessing , but not everyone is entitled to receive  it. There are several principles that determine an outpouring of spiritual blessings, and it is essential we familiarize ourselves with these principles.

There are three categories of people in this passage- Psalm 1:1-3. The first category are people who are walking in the counsel of the ungodly, the second category comprise people who are standing in the way of sinners, and the third category are sitting with scorners. Walking in the counsel of the ungodly is different from standing with sinners or seating with scorners, and it is very essential with know the difference between these similar actions. The first category of people hearken to evil advice or counsel. The second category of people are usually found where sinners congregate- Night orgies, or Parties.. The third category of people seat with mockers and they find pleasure deriding the gospel.

The people in the three categories are also involved in distinctly different actions. Walking, Standing and Sitting. The ungodly walk in evil counsel, the sinners’ stand, and the scorners sit. The big question here is who do you walk with, where do you stand, and with whom do you normally sit?

Let us analyse these three categories of people and their actions more closely. First, the walking category. The passage quoted above issue a clear warning: Watch where you walk if you wish to receive a blessing from God. If you study this passage carefully you will see that there is a possibility to walk in the counsel of the ungodly or the Godly. The important lesson here is that you have the power to say decide whom to obey or disobey. Where you choose to walk and receive counsel will determine whether or not you are qualified to receive a divine blessing. . Genesis 5 tells the story of how Enoch walked with God. Abraham also walked with God to the extent that he was called a friend of God. Who is your friend? Who are your advisers? Who is your counselor? How often do you read the word of God and follow its precepts. Does the word of God mean anything to you?

But we have a second category of people who are not only walking in the counsel of the ungodly, but are standing in the way of sinners. Where do you spend most of your time- nightclubs or pubs? How often do you associate with believers? Do you love the presence of God or you rather are in the company of night crawlers? How long do you stand in the presence of God for prayers?

The third category comprises hardened unbelievers. They have taken a seat with the anti Christ, and are always busy finding fault  and mocking the work of God.

Are you in any of these three categories of people who are not entitled to the blessing of God? Are you walking in the light of the word or the sinful pleasures of the world? Are you standing with Christ or Satan? Are you sitting with believers or unbelievers? Choose your course of action today. Abraham, Joseph, and Moses walked with God and they gained eternal life. Cain, and the people ofSodomandGomorrahwalked with Satan and ended up in destruction.

I am concluding this exhortation by pointing out that these three courses of action- Walking in evil counsel, Standing with the ungodly, and sitting with mockers- all lead to destruction, and one leads to another.  The first step that leads to sin is receiving evil counsel from sinners. This is the initial stage when Satan attempts to penetrate your mind and sway it away from the way of God. But you still have the power to reject this evil counsel and say yes to Jesus.

The people who choose to say No to Jesus no  move to the next stage of disobedience and backsliding. They graduate from listening to evil advices, to becoming evil advisers themselves. They advance beyond walking in unrighteousness to standing in iniquity. In this second stage, the sinner is not simply walking in and out of sin; he is now standing permanently in the midst of sinners. The third action is the highest stage of ungodliness, where Satan had offered a seat to a sinner. The Sinner is now seated in the company of evildoers plotting, contriving and implementing evil. If a sinner is merely standing in the mist of sin, there is a possibility that he may get tired of standing and walk out by His Grace, but once he sits down, he becomes a captive and tool of Satan to commit more evil.

The good news however today is that no matter which category you or anybody you know is, Jesus is ready to set you free today. If you are walking in the counsel of the ungodly, Jesus is ready to give you a new heart; if your are standing in the way of sinners, Jesus is willing to give you a spirit of Holiness right now; and if are already seated with the scorners, Jesus has the power to give you a seat in the company of the righteous.

But Jesus cannot act against your will. Before He delivers you form evil company you have to exercise you will power to say Yes to Godliness and No to evil. All you have to do is to say this confessional prayer and follow His instruction thereafter.