Reflecting on the steps of a good man, one of the salient features of a good man is his virtuous spirit. This is the root of a man who has chosen God as his Lord. He is the light of the world. He has light in his eyes. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness.” Matthew 6:22-23. He has love for his parents, his siblings, his family, and others. He carries an air about him that that reflects the evidence of a man who has Christ in him. He is one who is led by the truth of the scriptures. He comes under the authority of the chief Shepherd of the sheep. He has the spirit of a soldier who does not hesitate at the command of his commanding officer. He has no resistance nor reservation in obeying the word of God. He knows the absolute necessity of training well in the scriptures and keeping himself from being defiled by the world in order to experience God’s blessing.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:1
His steps are in a good place when he lives according to the scriptures. He is rooted in a holy reverence of the Lord establishing a mind that is trained in the knowledge of God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” Proverbs 1:7
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24
The good man delights in the will of God. “I delight in Your will, O my God, and your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
A man may have steps that do not give evidence of a good man. His steps may be laden with darkness having forsaken the Lord. The eyes follow the steps that walk in darkness. He reflects a nature that causes others to be fearful of him. He practices the deeds of darkness and diffuses fear. His family is susceptible to lies, deceit, suspicion, confusion, anxiety, abandonment, insecurity, and financial ruin. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.” James 3:13-15
He is chasing the pleasures of this world. The love of the Father is not in him. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.” I John 2:15-16
Having abandoned God, and building a life without Him, they have fallen into the abyss of dysfunctionality with no hope. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13. And subsequently, we are burdened with a society that is costing billions of dollars providing medical, psychological, and prescriptive aid for dysfunctional lives that have not walked in the steps of a good man.
J.C. Ryle gives a warning to young men in Thoughts for Young Men (1865). “Young men, do not be deceived. Don’t think you can, at will, serve lusts and pleasures in your beginning, and then go and serve God with ease at your latter end. Don’t think you can live with Esau, and then die with Jacob. It is a mockery to deal with God and your souls in such a fashion. It is an awful mockery to suppose you can give the flower of your strength to the world and the devil, and then put off the King of kings with scraps and remains of your hearts, the wreck, and remnant of your powers. It is an awful mockery, and you may find to your loss that the thing cannot be done.”
Have you fallen into this abyss of forsaking God and building idols? Repent of the two evils that you have been guilty of. Cry out to God and repent of your abandonment of Him. Follow in the steps of the Lord by equipping yourself by pursuing the truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6
Return to the Bible, the church, and the fellowship of the church, the preaching, and the worship of God. You need it, your families long for it, and you will receive the blessing. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5.6
Where the grace blows,
