Proverbs 1:16

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about how our actions are connected to our hearts:

Proverbs 1:16 (ESV)

for their feet run to evil,

and they make haste to shed blood.

What makes your feet move?  What makes you go to certain places?  Why do you attend a function of one kind or another?   This proverb tells us that our feet are connected directly to our hearts.   Solomon is describing a group of people who have turned from God and are walking according to their own evil desires.   As a result of this evilness in their heart their feet begin to move to do harm.   The problem is not simply the activity but the heart.   Solomon is telling us that the problem with the act of sin is the sin of the heart.   We can't simply treat the action of the feet without first doing spiritual surgery on the heart.    Solomon is telling us not to associate with these people because their actions will soon do harm to others.   The evilness in the heart is not contained to the harm they do themselves.   It extends to others.   Our society is bent on responding to the symptom (the actions of the feet) and not addressing the cause (evilness of the heart).  Don't join with people who have unconfessed sin in their hearts; it will soon lead to actions that harm others.