Proverbs 4:18-19. 18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Why do you do what you do? Do you know?
Notice the contrast that this proverb is making. There are those who live in light, and those who live in darkness. Of course the light is the righteousness of God and the darkness is wickedness. As we choose to obey God our path gets lighter and lighter. By contrast, continued disobedience makes the path grow darker and darker, taking us into deep darkness and psychological turmoil where we don’t even know anymore why we are doing what we do. This person doesn’t even know what they are stumbling over.
Lest we think that the Bible is describing the rare psychopath, let’s re-ask our opening question: Why do you do what you do? Why are your relationships in trouble? Why do you lack close friendships? Why are you feeling joyless? Why are you struggling to find peace at work? At home? At church?
What are you stumbling over?
I’ve found over the years that most people can identify that something isn’t right in their life, but they have no idea why it isn’t right. And the easiest answer is to blame circumstances, others, or even God.
But this doesn’t have to be your life. And it definitely shouldn’t be the Christian life.
In Christ we live in the light. A light that should be growing brighter and brighter as we journey on. When the Christian stumbles there does not need to be any ignorance as to what we stumbled over. The cross of Christ has shed the light on our indwelling sin. We aren’t stumbling over circumstances, others, or God; we stumble over our own selfish pride and self-salvation. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” is the Christian’s daily cry.
And Christ, the one who will keep us from stumbling, is our daily answer.
You: Is there an area of struggle in your life that you either blame others for orfeel like you can’t explain?
You in Christ: In Christ we exist in the light of his life. In what ways has that light been growing brighter lately?
Christ in you: How does your union with Christ allow you to boldly evaluate yourself and confess sin?
Pray: Father, by your Spirit reveal the indwelling sin in me and help me to look to Jesus while casting off that sin day by day. Amen.
To Live is Christ 