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, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.*
There’s much to be said for steering clear of the counsel of the ungodly, for avoiding the influence of those who are yielded to sin, and for walking far away from the scornful.
It’s amazing, however, how much traction some ungodly people gain as ‘counsellors’. Believers are warned against their instruction. Both the sinful and the scornful. They are also to be avoided as counsel, although we can’t dismiss them altogether, since we are called to help them recognised their need of a Saviour, and do all we can to introduce them to Christ.
Clearly, though, we are being told not to join in with ungodliness, sin and scorn! So, what is scorn? We don’t hear this word used much these days. And who are the scornful?
A scornful person is someone who mocks, or scoffs, or arrogantly pokes fun at another, by expressing contempt or derision. People who scoff at God and His Word are in the mind of the Spirit here, and, by association, people who mock and scoff at believers for believing and living out the Word of God.
How do we avoid these problems? By preferring God’s Word to the words of detractors, and by delighting in the law, or the Word of the Lord, by meditating, getting close to, and giving full consideration to the Word. As we do so we position ourselves perfectly for growth, refreshing, longevity, usefulness, fruitfulness, productiveness and prosperity.
Prosperity is defined as a state of flourishing, thriving, success and well-being. The meaning here also involves advancement, progress and profitability, to the purposes of God, and, again by association, in the lives of those involved with those who flourish. For an example of this kind of life, look at Joseph, who, despite difficult times, including being falsely accused and imprisoned, was always in God’s favour, always prospered, and always caused the house of those he served to thrive.
Blessed!
*Psalms 1:1-3
Steve Rowe 