Proverbs 16:17
The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.
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Highway to Higher: Guard Your Ways, Elevate Your Life
Last month, we explored Proverbs 16:17 through the lens of the “Holy Highway” — remember our chat about GloRilla crossing into Gospel and snagging that BET award? — and how consistent, faithful steps keep us on that path, even when our lives are messy or ironic?
Well, this month, we’re doing a “double dip,” looking at the same verse from a fresh angle. Avoiding evil isn’t automatic or magical, but it unfolds for those who intentionally watch over their own ways.
I love this practice of revisiting a verse. The ancient Hebrews had a tradition called Midrash, where they viewed scripture like a diamond lifted into the sky. Turn it one way, and one prism shines. Shift it, and another facet glows in a whole new rich color.
So last month, our focus was consistency and integrity; this month, its elevation and vigilant self-guidance — keeping careful watch over the choices that define you.
Proverbs 16:17 (NIV) says: “The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.”
Think of it this way: a higher, clearer path opens only to those who intentionally guard their ways. Guarding isn’t about rigid control or always being hard on yourself. It’s the practice of safe-keeping the best version of yourself — noticing the bad habits, the temptations, and the “low-hanging fruit” of your negative tendencies without giving in to them.
You see the reality of your shadow self but instead of letting it dominate, you monitor, you guide, and lovingly redirect yourself toward the higher path — the path your soul and heaven both recognize as upright.
Often life gets ‘knotted up’ over time through habits, choices, and mistakes that we all make…it’s like “we’ve tied the knot ourselves”. And the Holy Spirit doesn’t yank at that knotted cord–Instead, step by step, He unravels it, lovingly, patiently. Setting it straight.
You don’t need to understand every twist or untangle every loop — just stay present and allow the process to unfold–or untie you.
I’ve struggled with this plenty of times myself. And I've noticed something about my own patterns: Usually when I’m tired, mad, sad or afraid that’s when I let that “low vibration” seep in and it seems like I just give it a clear path to ‘take over’. And before you know it, I’m saying something way too harsh to someone I love, or I’m allowing a destructive habit to slip back in and I’m acting like a fool…just that quick!
But when I pause, take note, and gently say to myself, “Yea, you said that…cause you secretly felt that…but that’s not the only version of you Freddie (yea I call myself Freddie when I talk to myself). And it’s like I begin to give in to that higher path forward. And I choose the higher self, the better self, the self that aligns with love, justice, and purpose. That’s the highway of the upright in action.
🪩 So Remember:"You can always elevate—your better self is waiting."
🙏🏽 Prayer
God, guide my steps; help me guard and elevate myself.
💡 Today’s Challenge:
Notice one area where you’ve been giving in to lower impulses. Pause, acknowledge it without shame, and take a single, intentional step toward your higher self. Stay present, monitor lovingly, and let God guide the next steps.
About the Author
Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch
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Be Wise and Be Well...peace.
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