Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Christians Should Never Walk In the Counsel of the Wicked

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers" (Psalm 1:1).

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly." But notice exactly how it is expressed—it is not "does not walk in the open wickedness" or even "the manifest folly," but "does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly." How searching that is! How it narrows things down!

The ungodly are ever ready to "counsel" the believer, seeming to be very solicitous of his welfare. They will warn him against being too strict and extreme, advising him to be broad-minded and to "make the best of both worlds." But the policy of the "ungodly"—that is, of those who leave God out of their lives, who have no "fear of God" before their eyes—is regulated by self-will and self-pleasing, and is dominated by what they call "common sense." Alas, how many professing Christians regulate their lives by the advice and suggestions of ungodly friends and relatives—heeding such "counsel" in their business career, their social life, the furnishing and decorating of their homes, their dress and diet, and the choice of school or avocation for their children.

But not so with the "blessed man." He "does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." Rather is he afraid of it, no matter how plausible it sounds, or apparently good the intention of those who offer it. He shuns it, and says "Get behind me, Satan!" Why? Because Divine grace has taught him that he has something infinitely better to direct his steps. God has given him a Divine revelation, dictated by unerring wisdom, suited to his every need and circumstance, designed as a "lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path." His desire and his determination is to walk by the wholesome counsel of God, and not by the corrupt counsel of the ungodly.

~From A.W. Pink's "The Blessed Man"

Ponder on this folks. This would include all forms of psychology, humanism, pragmatism, ecumenicism. We have the more sure Word of God which is fully infallible and inerrant!

2 comments:

pastorharold said...

I have to say, these are some really good posts (spot on for todays times). But I traced them back to Grace Gems and now I get some of this type of great teaching sent to me each day. I owe it all to you Surph. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Harold

Denise said...

Harold,

I'm so glad you found Grace Gems. Indeed that's where I get them as well. With Pink, I invariably go to the whole article and the whole thing is good!

You can also find edifying quotes by going here: http://www.gracegems.org/gq.htm which is listed by topic.