Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight (Proverbs 9.6). First, we are exhorted to “leave our simple ways;” we must forsake them, leave them behind, and have nothing to do with them. These “simple ways” are ways of foolishness, of walking in our own wisdom, of following the delights of the world, of choosing the paths of sin. Evidenced by our actions, these ways neglect the God of Glory and reject the truth of His Word. Thinking it knows what best, it chooses what is focused on pleasure or self-exaltation. Second, when these ways are left behind, we are then able to “live.” This true “living” does not happen apart from the forsaking of sin. It begins in seeing ourselves as guilty of strolling through life in the foolishness of sin, and then seeking forgiveness at the foot of the Cross and being cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Life begins in confessing Jesus as the Son of God, our Savior and Lord. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… (Ephesians 2.4-5).
Third, we are now able to “walk in the way of insight.” Free from the foolishness of sin, we can now live and walk in the understanding of the Lord. Free, we can now see Christ and His Word in new light. This way of “insight” has nothing to do with our perceptions or determinations; it has everything to do with the wisdom of God and the truth of His Word. It has nothing to do with wandering through the paths of life; it has everything to do with walking in a straight path, following Christ. Walking in this manner we will find ourselves delighting in His Word, spending time at His gracious Throne Room in prayer, enjoying fellowship with the saints, eagerly sitting under the hearing of God’s Word, and choosing to follow the paths of righteousness in our daily lives. Being called to leave the ways of foolishness, we are able to truly live, walking freely with joy in Christ.
Living to follow Christ – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 