Proverbs 12:26

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight believers being the guide to the non-believer world:

Proverbs 12:26 (ESV)

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:26 (NIV 1984) 

A righteous man is cautious in friendship,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Believers are MapQuest to the unbelieving world. There are many reasons why God leaves us on this earth after He provides redemption. But one of those reasons is to be a light - an example - to the lost and dying world. God wants us to be His witness. He wants us to be the person others can see when His Son takes over a life. God is using us as His evidence of salvation. As a result we ought to be a map to those who see our lives. Who better to show the world how to navigate through life than a believer? Who better to give counsel to a hurting world than those who receive wisdom incarnate in Christ? Who better to be the guide to their neighbor than those who follow the Shepherd? Our "neighbor" has another option ... he/she can always follow the wicked neighbor on the other side of the street. The person who has no wisdom from God; who makes decision to please self and claim own. If we act like that neighbor than we don't draw a sharp distinction as to what God can and will do in our lives. Be the "guide" to your neighbor. But, make sure you know where you are guiding him/her. The wicked lead astray because their paths are to the wrong ends. Make sure your neighbor who follows you gets to where he/she should be going ... in God's path.

Believers don't think much about their relationship with the world.    Consider the mindset of Daniel.  He was a counselor to Nebuchadnezzar.  God placed him, as a young man, in the courts of the King of Babylon for the sole purpose of being Nebuchadnezzar's guide.    He did the same thing for young Joseph.   After a traumatic time of prison and false accusations, Joseph was placed in the exact place to be a guide to Pharaoh.  Esther was placed in the right place at the right time, under extreme circumstances, to be a guide to King Ahasuerus.   John the Baptist was a guide to King Herod, although Herod didn't like the guidance.   Solomon was a guide to the Queen of Sheba.    God puts us on the planet to be a guide to the people He wants us to speak to in regard to righteousness.   Righteous people ought to be prepared to give righteous counsel to an unrighteous world.   That is what we ought to be ready to do and be prepared to do.   But, the way of the wicked is not interested in giving good counsel to the unbeliever.   Rehoboam, Solomon's son, was lead astray by the false counsel of the wicked.   Jeroboam, the opposition to Rehoboam, was lead astray by his evil friends.  Absolam, David's son was lead astray by his ungodly fellow warriors.   God can send the right person at the right time to give counsel to the ungodly.  The only question is will they listen and will the Godly be ready to give it when asked?