What steps can we take to ensure we follow God's ways, not man's? Amon’s Tragic Road Sign “He walked in all the ways his father had walked, and he served and worshiped the idols his father had served.” Amon simply copied Manasseh’s rebellion. His life flashes a warning light: if we imitate human patterns over God’s commands, idolatry fills the vacuum. How do we stay off that path? Recognize the Pull of Human Tradition • Culture, family habits, and peer expectations can look harmless, yet derail our loyalty. • Colossians 2:8 — “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception… rather than on Christ.” • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Step: Regularly identify where your thinking or behavior is drifting with the crowd instead of Scripture. Plant Your Feet on the Solid Word • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped.” • Joshua 1:8 — meditate day and night so you “will prosper and succeed.” • Psalm 119:11 — “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Step: Schedule daily, unhurried intake of the Bible—reading, memorizing, and reflecting until it shapes decisions. Guard the Gate of Heart and Mind • Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart with all diligence.” • Philippians 4:8 — dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure. Practical helps: – Limit media that normalizes sin. – Filter advice through Scripture before embracing it. – Replace idle scrolling with worship music or Bible listening. Keep Company with Godly Guides • Proverbs 13:20 — “He who walks with the wise will become wise.” • Hebrews 10:24-25 — meet together, spur one another on. Step: Engage in a local church, small group, or accountability friendship where truth is spoken in love and obedience is modeled. Practice Prompt Obedience and Repentance • John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • 1 John 1:9 — confess, and He forgives and cleanses. Habits to cultivate: – Act immediately on convictions the Spirit brings. – Keep short accounts with God; repent quickly when sin surfaces. Live by the Spirit’s Power • Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Romans 8:14 — God’s children are “led by the Spirit of God.” Step: Begin each day consciously yielding control to the Spirit, trusting Him to empower obedience beyond human resolve. Pass On a God-Centered Legacy • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 — teach His words diligently to your children. • 2 Timothy 1:5 — the faith that lived in Timothy’s grandmother and mother now lived in him. Step: Talk about Scripture at home, celebrate God’s faithfulness, and model choices that show He is your highest authority. Summing Up Choose daily to treasure God’s Word, guard your influences, walk with the wise, obey promptly, rely on the Spirit, and intentionally hand truth to the next generation. These practical steps keep us following God’s ways—not man’s—and spare us from the sorrow etched in Amon’s epitaph. |
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