Does the Bible say something about God’s Path? Yes, it does. What about staying on God’s path? The Bible has a lot to say about those God’s path, staying on the path, and pathways for life designed by God for each of us. There are Ancient Paths, paths that lead to destruction, paths that lead to life, crossroads where you must choose a path, wide paths and narrow ones. Regardless of how they look, these Pathways for Life are important. Let’s look at 8 Ways to Stay on God’s Path.
Pathways for life can be found throughout the Bible. Moses gave specific instruction to Israel, saying, “Listen, Isra’el, to the laws and rulings which I am announcing in your hearing today, so that you will learn them and take care to obey them.” Deut. 5:1 CJB
Moses went on to say, “Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deut. 5:33 NLT. Obviously, God had already created these paths. Later on, the Prophet Jeremiah refers to them as Ancient Paths. These paths were established in the very beginning and they still exist and we should be walking in them even if they are thousands of years old. The truths of these paths have never changed.
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The Complete Jewish Study Bible tells us this, “Both Christian and Jewish commentators see the “ancient paths” as Torah (the law) observance and the spiritual paths of the patriarchs, as well as those who experienced redemption from slavery in Egypt. The “ancient paths” are demonstrated by a life of faithfulness to “Adonai” (God) and His instruction.” Page 623
In Jeremiah 6:16-19, the Prophet Jeremiah is delivering harsh words and judgements on the nation of Israel. Why? Because the worship of the religious leaders was only empty words.Those same leaders had made treaties with pagan nations and cults, but pretended to till serve God. Jeremiah is calling Israel into a personal and authentic relationship with God like he has, trying to prevent disaster for Israel.
Why would this apply to us today? After all, does anyone talk about ‘the ancient paths’ today? Yes we do, but we don’t call them that. Nonetheless, the terminology applies to us today.
But why does Jeremiah refer to “Ancient Paths?” He isn’t trying to take them backward. Instead, he’s reminding them that God has provided a pathway to walk with Him that is pure and undefiled, lasting forever. Instead, the Israelites had chosen the path of compromise and rebellion.
Jeremiah 6:16-19
Here is what Adonai (God) says:
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘Which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not take it.’ I appointed sentinels to direct them: ‘Listen for the sound of the shofar.’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ So hear, you nations; know, you assembly, what there is against them. Hear, oh earth! I am going to bring disaster on this people; it is the consequence of their own way of thinking: for they pay no attention to my words; and as for my Torah (law), they reject it.
What do care about the incense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are unacceptable, your sacrifices don’t please me.”
God’s Path is Good
There is a pathway that is good, which means there’s also a bad one. How do we know the difference? By paying attention, listening and obeying. What is the result – rest for your souls on the pathways for life.
Jesus and The Ancient Path
Jesus spoke about two paths – one wide and one narrow. He even told His followers where each path led. What He says is preceded by Jesus’ parable about asking, seeking, and knocking, which indicates action to obtain something we desire or need. The Ancient Path is about asking, seeking, knocking and actively choosing which path of life to stay on.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
Have you ever met another Christian and immediately wanted to learn from them because you saw fruit in their lives and consistency in their words and actions? You could say that this person walked in God’s path which is certainly an Ancient Path. It also means this person is staying on that good path. Here are some Scriptures from the New American Standard Bible about walking with God.
Walking With God
NIV:
2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Deuteronomy 5:33, “You shall walk entirely in the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and so that it may be well for you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess. “
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Galatians 5:16 , “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
1 John 2:5-6, “but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked.“
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.“
There is a way to live, believe, follow, protect and not veer from. It is not a pathway you can see. You can’t buy it. You don’t create it. It has already been created for you by the Creator of all things. It is made for you. We each have our own way to walk on that narrow pathway that leads to eternal life. You are His creation, His love, His delight and He fashioned a beautiful path for you and Jesus is the Way! He alone is the way – path – truth and life.
Your path isn’t new. Instead, it is a continuation of the Ancient Path God formed in the very beginning, yet your place on the path is made for you. Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
We are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have each been called. Though our lives may be similar, they are quite different, unique, and important. You have an Ancient Path extended before you and you can choose to walk in it or go your own way.
Pathways For Life
Here are the 8 Steps to Stay on God’s Path. Here is the link to get 8 Steps to Stay on God’s Path for free. It includes many more Scripture reference.
FIRST – we walk by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith no one can please God because the one coming to God must believe He exists, and He rewards those who come seeking.” We must believe He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. That includes the admonition of Proverbs and Deuteronomy above. Don’t lean on your own understanding, instead acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight. That is also part of faith.
In the Bible, an ancient path indicates something good. It leads to the correct destination. The ancient paths are deeply embedded giving confidence as we travel through this world toward the Promised Land.
SECOND – we are all in. Deuteronomy 5:33, “You shall walk entirely in the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and so that it may be well for you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.” When we give our lives an very being to God, there is no other path to walk but His. God’s commands are for our good. As we remain all in, staying on the path, He makes our lives well and prolongs our days.
The idea of an ‘ancient path’ is a way of life established by God before the world began. So, as we seek the ancient paths, we understand how to maintain a solid foundation in our lives and those around us.
THIRD – we stay in the Word. Proverbs 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my steps; it lights the path before me.” The Word does far more than just this but this is a beginning. We won’t get lost if we remain in and make God’s Word part of us. We will know how to find and remain in God’s path. Psalm 119 also says that a young person can stay on the path of purity by living according to God’s Word. I believe that applies to us no matter what age we are. Proverbs 4:26
FOURTH – we submit. Proverbs 3:6, “in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Google’s dictionary defines submission as “the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person.” Submission has been used in non-biblical ways using fear and pain. On God’s path, we submit because of love. Submission should be paired with being all-in. The Bible is clear about our need to submit – come under His rule of perfect love – and the fact many rewards will come to us.
FIFTH – we set our mind on God and His ways. Proverbs 4:26, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.” Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” While we may not realize that we can control our minds, we need to see how often Scripture says we can.
Be sure to Click Here and download the 8 Steps to Stay on God’s Path. There are additional Scripture References for each point. Use them as personalized prayers and as Faith statements when you need a boost.
1 Corinthians 2:16 says we have the mind of Christ. Our challenge is to transform our minds to be like His. Our mind is influenced by the world and we must be diligent in learning now to distinguish Godly thoughts from those of the World. Read Romans 12:1-2.
SIXTH – be watchful. 1 Peter 5:6-9, “Humble yourselves, therefor, under God’s mighty hand, that He may life you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Faith is active. It isn’t lazy and doesn’t take things for granted. It is watchful, aware, and on guard. Staying on the path, God’s Path, requires watchfulness so the enemy does not deceive us into taking the wrong path.
SEVENTH – accept God’s correction. When God corrects us, there is only love and no condemnation. If there’s condemnation, it’s not God. Proverbs 10:17 says, “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” None of us like correction, yet we know it’s necessary. Some correction comes from people and we need to discern between loving correction and words of condemnation. If it’s of God, we should never ignore it. God corrects us for our good.
EIGHTH – be open to change. Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” God answers when we ask. Our failure to ask might be born out of fear of change. We want to be like Jesus but that requires changes. While some are very small changes, other can be life altering and we don’t always like the change that God asks us to make.
How many times have you asked God to test you? Probably not often. Maybe never. After all, that could be quite frightening. Again, remember that God only seeks our good. His desire is for us to be the highest and best possible representative of Him on this earth.
He understands our failures and weaknesses, but keeps cheering us on the pathways for life. Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” God’s path for you is not a secret. He makes known to us the pathways for life.
Staying on the Path
The eight steps are – walk by faith, be all in, stay in the Word, submit to God, set our mind on God, be watchful, accept God’s correction, and be open to change. Though they sound simple when we read them, our stumbling block comes in doing them. However, God will give us strength to succeed. He wants us to be on His path and in His will always and so He gives us all we need to succeed.
Seeking the ancient paths is the responsibility of every Christian. Followers of Christ are responsible for their own obedience to the Kingdom standards. Thankfully for all of us, perfection is not required! There is also no condemnation if we stumble or fall. Our loving Heavenly Father is eternally patient and kind. If your heart is truly His, He will help you throughout your life as you grow in the likeness of Christ and you will desire to seek the ancient paths. Even Paul said he had not yet achieved:
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us..” Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Never give up. I pray you are inspired and encouraged in your walk with the Father on the path He created for you,
You might also enjoy reading – The Benefits of Rejoicing in the Lord
Inspiration For Life Today uses verses from different Bible translations. To see more information about the copyright for each one, please visit this page – Scripture Citations.
