Hebrews 12:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Hebrews 12:13

Comments

From this verse we get our aims and objectives. This is from Proverbs 4:23-27. Some people think that this should be translated a little differently, which is valid: ‘make even paths for your feet.’ They think the picture is to fill in the pitfalls the crevasses the pits, whereas our translators and most people think it is to make a straight path. The Greek covers both and both are in mind. Make a straight path, an even track so that you don't trip up, and so that you maintain the correct direction. ‘Make straight [direct] paths for your feet’, because if you don't, that which is lame – that is, the area of your vulnerability – will be turned out of the way, dislocated. What is your vulnerability? Well if you watch certain things you become too interested in them. It stimulates the old nature, and all your worldly desires. So you dislocate your soul and your heart and your emotions; they are all taken up once again with cheap and earthly things, because you haven't avoided those pitfalls those potholes and all those things. The trouble with illustrations is that often they make no deep impression on us, when we ought to think carefully about them. We have to apply them to ourselves. We have to take aims precautions in the spiritual life. Furthermore spiritual faculties must be exercised. If the heart does not reflect on the wonderful love of Christ and the debt we owe him then the heart will become cold. If the mind is not exercised in planning and acting for Christ, then it too begins to go in another direction.

Application

What is your lifestyle? Does the road ahead of you every day wander all over the place You watch soaps and fictitious nonsense like that, worldly propaganda for a worldly lifestyle. You listen to things and watch things that are thoroughly unedifying, so that your road goes through worldly territory by choice. Then you try to pray, then you want to read the word; you want to exercise spiritual things. You can't do that. If you are going to stand up and straighten your arms and take guard and brace your knees ready for the battle for the Lord, you have got to make a straight path. I am going to spend the time I need to spend to do good and profitable things. I will earn my living, maintain my family, look after the children; I have got to give proper time and thought to that. Then also, this week, I am going to read through such and such a book of the Scripture and learn its doctrines and its distinctive teachings. I am going to apply my own heart to its challenges and its reproofs, and see its encouragements and its promises. I am going to pray for this list of people. These are my aims.

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Hebrews 12:13 Commentary and Bible Study