Proverbs 16:17

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 uprightness: 

Proverbs 16:17 (NASBStr)

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who watches his way preserves his life.

Proverbs 16:17 (ESV)

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;

whoever guards his way preserves his life.

The above proverb is a key theme of the book of Proverbs.  Note that we also find this proverb later in the collection that was put together by others:

Proverbs 22:5 (NASBStr)

Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;

He who guards himself will be far from them.

We can see this theme unfold throughout the entire book of proverbs.   God wants us to enjoy life.  He offers us a life both here and now and later that will be a highway of goodness.  We all desire it.   Yet, unbelievers don't accept God's Word and His way of life.  Solomon is telling us that if we follow God's Word we will be given a highway to depart from evil.   The second line adds to our understanding.  If we "watch" our way we can see our life "preserved."   The watching mentioned here is something you might do to watch something you value.  We might think of the sentry who stands watch over a valuable possession.   When we watch our life to protect it from erring away from God's Word we can see a highway that leads us away from evil and preserves our life.   We "watch' our life by having faith in Christ and allowing His Spirit to lead us, guide us, convict us and enable us.   When we trust in Christ, God puts us on the highway that He protects us.   If we continue to obey His Word we can expect protection.