I was sitting in a revival this past week when the Lord began to speak regarding Psalm 1. The preacher spoke of the tree by the river. When I returned home I began to sit with the Lord and this passage. The Lord took me to the beginning;

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly

Nor stands in the path of sinners

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord…

Psalm 1:1-2

As I began to meditate on this passage alone, I began to see it freshly. I had to go to my Bible software and look up words to ensure a full understanding of what might be being said. Blessed is the man who walks NOT in the counsel (ADVICE) of the ungodly (WICKED.) Often even in the body of Christ we are walking in advice that is not godly. Sometimes, it is even advice where the scriptures are used in error. I am having to teach people much lately to come back to TRUTH. No relationship is advised to exalt itself above Christ. No friendship, no family member, no spouse, no church leadership. We are mandated to test the spirits yet we are often being taught to question nothing and no one. Many times our society, and church, exalts itself above the headship of Christ. I am in favor of open dialogue always. When I find advise or counsel is never put into question, we stray very often. Remember, wisdom is among MANY counselors. Paul reasoned the scriptures meaning they discussed it openly among one another.

I found myself really looking deeply at what it might mean to “stand in the path of sinners.” On one hand, it might be interpreted as going the same way or path of the sinner. Surely, that would not be wrong. However, I also found myself asking the Lord is there anything in His heart that meant it to be that we at times stand in the way of sinners getting to Him. A word study sure shows it’s possible. As I pondered with Him possible ways that we obstruct the path for sinners, here are some things I wrote down:

1. Religious spirits & Legalism…
2. “Let the little children come…”
3. Becoming a stumbling block with our actions or words…
4. Playing God in other’s situations…
5. Misappropriating authority…
6. Enabling sin…
7. Not humbly acknowledging an offense or wrong doing…

I am learning in my older years that the Holy Spirit can do His job very well. I need only be obedient in any given moment. I am not anyone’s God. I can’t always help people out of their pits. This is a classroom with Christ. I can love them through it, but not rescue them. This is His job alone because there are eternal things at stake we do not see. If not careful, I might enable sinful behavior when my call by Christ is to stand for truth and righteousness in all things. There are no exceptions. We must learn better how to do this not just with a worldview of “big sins” but also sins of character, sins of injustices, etc. Righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne. (Ps. 89:14) This is our measuring stick for situations.

I have seen the saddened heart of Christ as we have “Churched” His people into a slumber. We have misrepresented His heart and ways through rituals that show neither the LIVING Christ nor His precious heart. In this hour, I believe He will be moving His hand against this. It has sorely grieved Him. Many do not know Him because we have given them an image of Him that is inaccurate. We have removed at large the necessity of the Holy Spirit and His power by closing the doors to Him. We have shut Him out refusing to teach the fullness of His heart. We keep people stuck at His death on the cross while speaking words of His resurrection that exhibit no life at all. This is a grave hindrance.

I remember years ago my niece pleading for me to help her “Get Jesus in her heart.” My religious mindset almost denied her The Christ. I wanted her to wait until she was older and fully understood. Then I heard the Holy Spirit, “Let the little children come…” Guilty I was of rationalizing the power of Christ and “standing in the way of the sinner…” Praise His name for intervening as she joyfully took Him in as a little child. If we do not come as little children…we will not see the Kingdom of Heaven, yes?

I must choose caution in my daily walk to lay aside every weight that it might not confuse one searching for Christ. This is costly to the believer. Is there anything in my days that might lead one astray from the Savior? This is the question we must ask. If so, put it away at once. Crucify the flesh. Die to the thing. We are to be a living testimony of The Christ in us. This alone will cause the sword of the Spirit to separate the lukewarm.

Authority is good when it is legitimate. Not all authority is Godly and the enemy has had quite a hand in placing his own in places of authority. I recall when reading of Hitler one of the first things he did was target the churches. He began to replace pastors with his own people. Control he did gain at this point. While pastors and leaders are to be honored, they are not above questioning. We see this very often as Christ took to task the pharisees and sadducees. These were the leaders of the day. Yet, He called them into question. As His sheep, I must discern now what and who are His. Reverence and honor are good but idolatry is sin. Be careful that you do not readily submit to that which is not Christ at all and remember always, The Christ, lives in you are His royal priesthood.

I have sat with many still reeling from the pain of past wounds. While many move onward with no regard, these women (and men) carry a brokenness that has put Christ into question. In this, they have misunderstood the poor behavior of people as the heart of Jesus. This occurs mainly because the body of Christ is lacking in simple acknowledgment of wrong doing. Although the scriptures encourage us to do all we can to mend hearts, we excuse our behavior and leave a pasture full of wounded sheep. It is difficult to trust again when forgiveness is taught as required while sin is swept under the rug. It takes an incredible amount of time to undo this type of damage. The Holy Spirit is certainly faithful but the human heart is very fragile. When trust is not rebuilt there is left a confusion in one’s heart about Christ. Many turn from Him after this kind of bruising.

Sitting in the seat of the scoffer I use to look at probably a bit inaccurately. I wonder is Christ meaning, blessed is the man who does not sit in the seat of the scornful (mocker). Meaning, have we been the scoffer? Have we sat in that seat ourselves? Have we mocked other believers and their zealousness or uniqueness with Christ? Do we deny them in any way or look down at them as less than us? Have we mocked their gifts? Have we been guilty of that which Jesus experienced, “A prophet is not honored in his hometown…” Have we rejected God’s sent ones? His own messengers? His very sheep to which He called and equipped? Questions to ponder before Him certainly.

There is so much packed in this short scripture that it keeps me before the Lord asking Him to search my own heart. I have found blood on my own hands, have you? Let us repent honestly and take the necessary steps to be reconciled with Him. For we do reap what we sow but He is merciful to forgive us and restore. May we never stand in the way of a sinner, nor sit in the seat as a scoffer. May we walk in the counsel and advice of the Godly and that which is Godly…and may we delight in His law and ways. For this is the man and woman that is blessed by the Lord.

Love Much,