Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
One of the greatest areas of battle every day is in the area of temptation. Temptation is the battlefield where the pressure intensifies and the “heat” increases. The Psalmist described how we can win the battle against temptation and in fact thrive rather than shriveling and drying up.
What are the key pieces for victory in temptation: who we listen to, who we spend time with, and who we imitate in our attitudes and actions. The Psalmist warned that those whom you pattern your life after will effect the strength and stamina in your personal life.
Every person will listen to someone. You can either take your “cues” from ungodly (v. 1) or you can take your “cues” the law of the Lord (v.2). Every person has a “library of conscience” that he seeks to fill with “books” of how to live and handle life. Which “books” you place in your “library” will determine how you will perceive or understand your situations. Poor “books” or no “books” will result in your not knowing how to properly avoid danger or capitalize on an opportunity. “The counsel of the ungodly” means the “way of life” or the “lifestyle of” ungodly.
Every person will spent time with someone. We become like those with whom we spend our leisure, or those we deem our peers. When we “stand in the way of sinners” we set ourselves up for weakness when we go through trouble.
Whom do you want to imitate?