Avoiding The Destructive Path

But these other people’s deeds? I have avoided such violent ways by the command from your lips.
I’m not trying to get my way in the world’s way.  I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way. 
I don’t do like others.  I obey your teachings and am not cruel.
With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

My steps are set firmly on your paths; my feet haven’t slipped. 
I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot In front of the other.  I’m not giving up.
I have followed you, without ever stumbling.
My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
-Psalm 17:4-5 (CEB, MSG, CEV, ESV)

When we are encountering trials, God wants us to avoid the destructive path.  We can all become destroyers who destroy others and destroy our selves.  There is a selfish way that goes towards violence and is cruel that is not the way of God.  Lashing out, hitting back, and being cruel are all temptations for us when we are in a trial.  Avoid it, don't do it, and take God's way .

The path to stay on is the path of God's commands.  There is a Word way that we need to be on.  God's word is loaded with advice for how to live.  The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters.  If you need practical wise counsel, read Proverbs.  Read a chapter a day, if you need wise counsel for how to walk in the Word of God.

When we are under pressure, in a trial, being chased, feeling cornered, or when we get ambushed; we can be tempted to be violent and destructive.  We feel hit and want to hit back, maybe harder.  We feel hurt and want to hurt back, even cruelly.  Don't do it.

The path of destruction is when you lash out destructively towards another person.  The destructive path is when you fight your own battles.  The destructive path is when you take matters into your own hands.

You might take the destructive path towards your self, by judging yourself more harshly than God does over something and then cruelly punishing your self.  Self-destructive behavior is also not the path of God's ways.  Let's not be violent towards our selves.  We need to be violent towards sin, the works of the flesh, and demons; but have grace towards our selves.  Masochism is not the path of God.

Don't slip, don't give up, but stay on God's path.  God's path is the path of His commands.  Take your impatience back to God and walk on the path of patience.  Take your lack of faith and go back to God and walk on the path of faith.  Take your lack of wisdom and your temptation towards foolishness back to God and walk on the path of wisdom.  Repent daily, hourly, minute by minute as you keep getting back onto God's path.