Lifestyle produces an outcome!

Probing Proverbs 13:19-21 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.

This passage enables us to view two lifestyles that are moving in opposite directions and arrive at very different outcomes! It is essential that when we read passages such as this, we keep in mind what is being presented is a “lifestyle” not just a moment. This reality seems to escape many, which leads them to a false reality. One right moment does not change a lifestyle committed to sin, nor does a moment of failure cancel a lifestyle committed to pursuing God. For a believer, it will leave an opening for the myriad of attacks the accuser will bring to produce a life of guilt. When the Scripture warns about sinful living, it is not saying we can live sinless, perfect lives…only One human being ever did that…and He was God in the flesh! What Scripture is warning against is a life that is dominated by sin!

This does not lessen the absolute condemnation of any single sin; instead, it brings into the context the reality our Lord knows we live in. All of us have a sin nature and when we enter into a relationship with God, He places a new nature in us that gives us the ability to live under the control of the Holy Spirit instead of our sin nature. God knows as long as we live in our bodies we will sin and fall short of perfection. However, the essence of our life will not be described as one that walks predominately in sin. This passage brings to light 3 realities of these different lifestyles.

Everyone has dreams, and it is proper to desire to see those dreams become a reality, but not at any cost! If you will do evil to have your dream you are walking foolishly! We all have a community around us; the question is what kind? Scripture never tells us to stay completely away from those that live according to the world, in fact we are exhorted to love them and hope to share the great news that God loves them. The emphasis in this passage is “who” do we have a lifestyle with. If it is with the wise we will gain wisdom, if with those that live foolishly, we will behave the same way. I have found the best way to view my community is this: Who influences me and who do I influence? I want to have the wise influence my life, while I love and influence those far from God.

Lastly, a blunt reality is stated: Those that live in sin have trouble following them all the time, those that live by faith (righteous) will find blessings in their life! 

The So What: What is the “flavor” of your life; a life desiring God, or the world? If someone were to write your biography, which would be the dominant description, a life pursuing what the world has to offer or a life pursuing what God has to offer?