Psalm 1

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest]where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

I remember analyzing this passage with my cell group back home once upon a time. Re-reading this in the Amplified, I was struck again by how easily it is to walk down the road to destruction.

Blessed is the man who walks (and lives) not in the counsel of the ungodly...

Mr. Godly meets Mr. Ungodly and starts walking with him... chatting about the events of the day... nothing harmful right? They're just walking together...
It always starts with walking with someone. Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (Amos 3:3) Too often I see people who give up God's "best" and settle for "good". Tommy Tenney says that "good" is often the worst enemy of "best". How true. At this age, and I'm sure for the years ahead, my peers will be embarking on new relationships - some sooner than others.

But the fear or being alone is a very real one. And this is what makes people cop out and settle for the present, and not place their hope and trust in what God has in store for them. Too many people settle for what is there and don't pursue what God has in store for them. How can a believer and an unbeliever walk together, be yoked together - if one is headed towards destruction, and the other towards Christ? How can one walk in disobedience towards Christ and yet say he loves Him?

nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk

... then they stop for a while. Hang around. They're just chillin'. Mr. Godly sees things that Mr. Ungodly is doing, but doesn't call him on it. No, don't mess with the status quo. Close one eye. Turn the other way. Everyone else is doing it.
Standing submissively. Inactively. In the face of sinners. How often do we as Christians feel embarassed to speak up against sin? To expose sin for the dirty despicable thing that it is? Political correctness has infiltrated the word of God. People are hesitant to declare truth because they are afraid of offending people. But the Word of God has been offending the sinful long before we were born. The pharisees didn't like Jesus. Neither did the Sadduccees. And all the other ees. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18).

nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather

.. Finally they are "friends". Mr. Ungodly invites Mr. Godly into his home. Just to have dinner. Fellowship together. Nothing wrong, right? Wrong.
I'm waiting for God to tell me otherwise. I feel like I'm being called to bring person X to Christ. I'm praying about it. About my non-believer girlfriend / boyfriend. Waiting for God to tell me otherwise??? Praying about it??? What??? How much clearer do you need to hear from God than from the very Word that proceeds from the mouth of God? Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Cor. 6:14.

His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. If you are reading this and this has struck a chord in your heart. Then you know what to do.