Proverbs 12:26 “Let ‘er Rip” Outfitters and Guide Services
The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 NASB
Influence is powerful. Intentionality is a force in life, whether it is for good or not so good. Those who determine to live righteously and those who choose to act upon self-serving desire both are influencers — whether or not one intends to be. When someone is hurting or needy and another performs and act of kindness, people stop and notice. Similarly, when a gunman walks into a classroom he too has everyone’s attention.
The symbolism Solomon uses relates the reader to travelers. From birth to death, man is on a journey. There come times when every one of us loses his way and needs direction. It’s in this fellowship of humanity that we seek our way and find our path. But who is it that becomes our personal guide?
Guides
How I influence another start with the personal choices I routinely make. Every morning I wake up to a new day, a fresh slate. Where will the day take me? What a great question, but a day doesn’t take us anywhere. The value, desire, and motivation of my heart is the catalyst that propels me forward. Of course it is influenced by many things outside my control, but the majority of my days — I choose. There is so much possibility when I consider that Jesus encouraged, “Ask, and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open for you.” Looking at Paul as a guide, he writes about what he considers the most important value by which he lives:
Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
That I may know Christ, yes, the power of his resurrection…
Philippians 3:10.
Intention and purposefulness takes me forward.
Jesus framed up the journey poignantly when he said, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all of these things will be added to you. I’m concerned about my work, food, clothing and shelter. These are the things that normally occupy the majority of my mental energy. Labor is good, but it is also distracting and became a curse to Adam and his offspring. The truth is — if I have my values and priorities right, they will all be added to me. Which is awesome and means something else may be my focus.
It is in the process of living my life — of knowing what I want and where I am going, and clinging to the kingdom value of loving my neighbor as myself— in this very pursuit I become a guide to my companions.
The Hebrew for the verb to guide means: to seek out, spy out, explore. Strong says it comes from Tokahath, meaning “an Israelite.” It’s a primitive root meaning to meander, (causatively to guide) especially for trade or reconnoitering. “Neighbor” can be translated: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbor, another. I am a light, a city set on a hill. I am salt adding flavor, and a different perspective every day to those around me. As a result, I have my hiking boots cinched up tight and am walking confidently toward the kingdom… showing others the way, even when the route is not all that clear to me. Heavenly GPS is a wonderful thing.
Although intentionality will propel me forward, just as easily, wasted time, mindless activity, and harmful pursuits will equally take me forward on my journey… if I look to the wrong role model.
Leading astray
Being a guide is contrasted with another who is leading astray. Why would someone want to do this? Maybe it is not that one who is leading, but rather it is me following. I am the one influenced by another with not-so-pure motives when my appetite is in the wrong place.
The word “astray” means to err. The root means: to vacillate (i.e. reel or stray) to go astray, to deceive, dissemble, seduce, make to stagger, cause to wander, be out of the way. The picture I see in my mind’s eye is something that cannot find the target. It (or he) cannot choose between one thing or another, one path or another. On a hiking trail to a mountain top, he’s wandering around the valleys and knolls enjoying the insects on the rocks. This is great, except when your destination is elsewhere and your hiking party is waiting for you at the rendezvous point. Or, he has a new pursuit regularly. Today it’s restoring the car. Tomorrow, it’s the new diet and the organic foods that are life changing. Next week it’s his pet tech and the latest gadget or game. His time is applied to the latest thing. And he writes about it… to no end. It’s published in the New York Times and is validated by all the likes on Facebook. And it is taking him — nowhere in particular. The very act of pursuing something outside the kingdom is vacillating from the very trajectory that God has placed in our heart—which is to be like Him. To see and know Him. Follow where He leads.
Who I am matters. The choices I make impact not only me, but everyone who sees me. Whether or not I asked to be that impact, here I am — I am a guide. And whether or not I would like to be influenced by another, I am. The person on whose behavior I value the most will become my guide. If this one is not so heathy, it will lead me astray. Where will I go on this trail of life? Either I decide, or someone else leads me where I may not want to be.