SWIFT FEET

Proverbs 6:16-19 (v. 18b)

OUTLINE –
I. SWIFT FEET – QUICK AND DECISIVE.
II. HASTY FEET – MOVE WITHOUT THOUGHT OF CONSEQUENCES.
III. MISCHIEVOUS FEET – MOVE TOWARD EVIL.
IV. GODLY FEET – MOVE TOWARD THE RIGHT, THE HOLY, AND THE GODLY.

Contrary to what some may believe the Bible speaks quite a bit of the “Feet”. We will look at some of these. One of the good ones which most of us have heard is, “How beautiful are the FEET of them that preach the gospel of peace…” (Rom. 10:15).
There are warnings of mischievous, hasty, godless feet. We will be looking at both of these; maybe I should say, all four of these.
Do our feet do our thinking? Do our emotions do our thinking for us? If we follow the path of God and His wisdom and grace, and mercy we must answer no to these two questions. No one who is using the good, godly sense God has given us goes running to jump without knowing what is on the other side, or down below. If you follow the direction of your emotions, or feelings you will be led astray.

Let’s look at these feet.

I. SWIFT FEET -QUICK AND DECISIVE.
We need to realize that “Swift feet” can be for evil or for good. There are some people who are swift to decide to do ungodly deeds. There are others who are quick to do godly deeds.
If our hearts have been changed by the power of the salvation of Jesus Christ, then, we will be thinking godly, and doing godly things. On the other hand; if things are not right with you and God then, you will most likely do the ungodly thing, and be a curse to yourself, your family, your community, and your neighbor.
The godless SWIFT FEET will walk only in the way that is best for him/her. If they can get the praise for a good deed and reap benefits from a good deed, then, they will be quick and decisive to do that act.

II. HASTY FEET – MOVE WITHOUT THOUGHT OF CONSEQUENCES.
Now, this may, in some ways be similar to the SWIFT FEET, but I pray to show a difference in “swift” and “hasty”. “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established” (Prov. 4:26). And, “…He that hasteth with his feet sinneth” (Prov. 19:2). Haste which runs inot something without thought can be costly. “Ponder” – chew for awhile; Think, Think, Think, and then Think some more, before being hasty in a decision of doing something which may be wrong, even ungodly.
Someone has said, “Haste makes waste”, and that especially goes with life and living. How many marriages have been troubled due to a Christian marrying a lost individual? How many even have led to divorce? How many business deal have gone sour because of different views of the world and God? The message of God’s Word is to Think before you wink.

III. MISCHIEVOUS FEET – MOVE TOWARD EVIL.
These are usually very selfish feet that do only for self, which we have addressed earlier; and for selfish ambition. These are always looking for something to cause or make trouble.
Because of the message of God’s Word, which Jeremiah and other prophets proclaimed, the people (some) wanted to kill them. They were SWIFT in running to mischief. These are those who refuse God’s message of grace and choose to endeavor, by good works, to please God.

“Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths” (Isaiah 59:7)

And last, but not least; for sure we have –

IV. GODLY FEET – MOVE TOWARD WHAT IS GODLY.

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Rom. 10:15).

As God’s people we are admonished and encouraged to guard our feet – that is the path which we walk.

“I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies” (Psalm 119:59).

“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word” (Ps. 119:101).

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105).

The way of godly feet are in the path of Jesus Christ. The way of Jesus is the way of the cross – the way of suffering. The way of Jesus is the way of joy and peace. The way of Jesus is the way of New Life.

Preached @ Carr Lane Baptist Church August 2006