This passage contains two Proverbs. The first Proverb says, “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.”
The Bible says that there is only one way to Heaven. That way is through Jesus Christ. A person must believe in Jesus Christ before God will allow them into Heaven after they die.
Belief in Jesus Christ is validated by departing from evil and pursuing righteousness. A person must repent or turn from sins before God considers them to be righteous. However, a person cannot turn from sin, unless they correctly identify sinful behavior.
The Bible defines sinful behavior. Therefore a person must read the Bible to correctly identify sin. Then, they can turn from sin. They can pursue righteousness and walk the only pathway that leads to Heaven.
The second Proverb says, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” The Bible says that God hates pride more than any other sin. It was pride that led Satan to rebel against God. It is pride that keeps a person from drawing close to God.
The Bible indicates that God will not allow a prideful person to enter Heaven. Only those who are humble and meek in spirit will enter. In Jesus’ ‘sermon on the mount,’ He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus also said to His disciples, “Unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” A child is not prideful.
Therefore, if we want to be allowed into Heaven one day we must lose our pride. We must accept God’s Word with humility and open-eyed wonder, as a child would do.
