The Real Road Less Traveled
Scripture: Psalm 15, especially verses 1–2
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous … (NIV).
Introduction: The road less traveled isn’t found in any woods. The road of righteousness is the road less traveled. Psalm 15 only has five verses, but contains powerful teaching that can guide us down this road. Psalm 15 is similar to Matthew 5:48: “… be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” In Matthew 5, Jesus sets the bar so high in the Sermon on the Mount that we have no option but to run to Jesus Christ. That’s exactly the point in Psalm 15. We can never reach this standard except through Christ, but at the same time we can become more and more like Him day by day. There are four questions worth asking ourselves that set the standard for what God is looking for in our lives.
1. Are My Words Helpful or Hurtful (vv. 2–3)? This question is easy to overlook, but God sets an incredibly high standard for our speech. James 1:26 is quite direct about the importance of our speech: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” How can we speak the truth in our heart (Ps. 15:2) without backbiting with our tongue (Ps. 15:3)? Let’s look at two truths to help us understand this balance:
A. There’s a Time and Place for Negative and Harsh Words. The Bible is full of examples of negative and harsh words (cf. 2 Tim. 4:14–15). Jesus dished out some of the harshest rebukes that can be found in Scripture (Mark 12:38–40). Peter did not speak out against legalism and was publicly rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11–14). So there’s certainly a time for negative and harsh words, but many of us don’t use this type of speech in the proper time or place.
B. Before You Pass on a Negative Report, Reconsider. Before we open our mouths in a negative or harsh word, we must ask ourselves three questions. First, is this true and am I sure? If you pass on negative information without being completely certain it’s true, you’re guilty of slander. The second question to ask ourselves: are my words motivated by hurt or a genuine need to know? Why would we tell someone negative information if it was ultimately for us and not them? When we rebuke others out of our own hurt or anger, it’s motivated ultimately by hatred and perversion (Prov. 10:12; 16:28).
2. Are My Heroes Godly or Godless (v. 4)? Verse 4 tells us we are to despise a vile man but honor those who fear the Lord. The word despise doesn’t mean we treat others with disrespect, for even the Lord Jesus was often surrounded by sinners as He ministered to them. Rather, we’re to hate evil to the extent that we don’t have evil people as role models. The issue here is who we look up to and emulate. Parents, when your children are seriously trying to emulate the godless, it’s time to have a serious talk with them.
3. Do I Keep My Commitments (v. 4)? “… who keeps his oath even when it hurts …” (NIV). The things we often consider small, inconvenient, or painful are the things we neglect. Christians should be people who, even in the small things, are people of their word! How often at work do we say “Oh yeah, I’ll get that done for you …” and then we don’t? We do it with our kids: “I had a rough day so I can’t take you to the park like I promised.” Toughen up and keep your commitments even if it costs you!
4. Do I Help the Helpless (v. 5)? “… who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.” The issue here is exploiting the poor. In those days sometimes there was 30–50 percent interest, what today we would call predatory interest. People would make their living on the backs of the disadvantaged (cf. Lev. 23:22). We’re called to help those who need it most; to neglect this is to ignore God’s Word, His character, and His example.
Conclusion: Take these four questions and use them as a mirror this week. Remember that Jesus is the only human who has ever fully lived up to these things. Rely upon His Spirit as you aspire to become more like Him in these ways.
