What the Bible says about Wandering Out of the Way
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Note the word "wanders." Most of us do not intend to go astray; we wander into unrighteousness, sin. The results, whether we deliberately do it or wander into it, are the same. A man who wanders will rest in the congregation of the dead. The assumption in the verse is that the person never gets back on the track. The wanderer, even though he does not deliberately plan to go in that direction, if he does not consciously turn away from it and get back onto the path—back on the track—will likely end up in the grave, just as it says.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Examples of Divine Justice
To paraphrase, Paul is saying, "You had better go back to what you first did, when you first learned the truth. Continue walking in that way, and don't deviate from that path."
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty)Related Topics: Deviation from Truth | Guarding the Truth | Hold Fast to the Truth | The Way | Walking with God | Wandering Out of the Way
God is permitting a sifting to take place. Paul uses the word "delusion" here, indicating a "wandering out of the way." Does that not happen to people who are confused and have lost direction and motivation? They wander. They drift. They get tossed about in the winds and currents. But the love of the truth will keep a person clear-minded, focused on the right areas of life, and motivated to overcome. And this will lead God to save them.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Flood Is Upon Us!Related Topics: Delusion, Strong | Drifting Spiritually | Loving the Truth | Motivation | Overcoming | Overcoming, Motivation for | Strong Delusion | Truth | Truth | Wandering from Truth | Wandering Out of the Way
The last phrase ("Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?") indicates a scattering of dismembered bodies, as if they had been left unburied. These "corpses" were the same people who came out of Egypt with great joy, exulting in their new-found liberty. They yearned for a settled and free life in a land that was their own. But, instead of knowing the joy and plenty of the Promised Land, they chose to sentence themselves to live a life of homeless wandering in a barren land and to die and perhaps be buried in an unmarked grave. Chosen to be the beneficiaries of God's great blessings in a rich land, they instead lived poor and hungry in the wilderness, discontented, and often at war because of their sins. Their example ought to be a sobering warning.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Wandering the Wilderness in FaithRelated Topics: Discontent | Discontentment | Promised Land, Detour in route to | Scattering | Scattering of Israel | Wandering Out of the Way | Wilderness Wanderings
What concerns God is whether a person is actually and practically following Him with his mind, actions, words, time and energy. This proves to Him whether one sincerely loves the truth or merely sees his religion as an intellectual profession or social occasion.
Our deceitful mind can find multitudes of ways, reasons and excuses to avoid confronting the real issue of life—overcoming, allowing God to form and shape us into His image. Knowing this very well, Satan works to involve the intellectually inclined among us in pursuits that, though they may involve religion and are stimulating and challenging, have little or nothing to do with overcoming. The issue, however, becomes so "big" that God's focus is lost under the ever-growing mounds of research.
He distracts others through conspiracy theories. Though these things may be occurring at least to some extent, and though people reason they are "watching world news," it is not preparing for God's Kingdom. It becomes so "big" in their minds that they are nearly consumed by it—it is all they can talk about!
Jesus said what is in the heart comes out the mouth. Where is there room for God in the heart when this other pursuit is crowding Him out? Are these people in danger of being swept away by the flood? I have noticed that people involved in this gradually become very suspicious and cynical of others, especially those with some authority. Satan subtly destroys the fabric of trust that any institution—be it a relationship, family, church or nation—must have to function.
The Day of the Lord is not yet upon us, but we are in the headwaters of the flood that is swiftly approaching. The flood of deception is a precursor of more physically persuasive tactics designed to deceive the whole world into accepting the lie. But for now, Satan is surely concentrating primarily on God's called-out ones.
God is permitting a sifting to take place. Paul uses the word "delusion" in II Thessalonians 2:11, indicating a "wandering out of the way." Does that not happen to people who are confused and have lost direction and motivation? They wander. They drift. They get tossed about in the winds and currents. But the love of the truth will keep a person clear-minded, focused on the right areas of life and motivated to overcome. And this will lead God to save them.
We need to examine honestly what receives our time and attention. We need to evaluate truthfully what is the focus of our lives. This will reveal whether we love the truth or merely profess to. Those who only profess to love it will be the ones sifted by the flood now swirling around us.
Jesus cried out in John 7:37, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." Brethren, this is our salvation. He says He is the way, the truth and the life. Now is the time to dig deeply into His Word to make that foundation sure. And let's truly live and build upon what we find there!
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Flood Is Upon Us!Related Topics: Conspiracy Theories | Cynicism | Drifting Spiritually | Flood as Metaphor | Flood of Deception | Following Christ | Following God | Loving the Truth | Overcoming | Sifting Metaphor | Sifting Process | Suspicion | Wandering Out of the Way | Watching World News