Building Hedges

Proverbs 15:19

The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

There is much said in the Scriptures about the hedge of thorns. Around a vineyard, a husbandman would build a hedge of thorns to keep the wild animals out so that the grapes were safe. God says, The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns. In other words, the slothful man lives in the hedge instead of inside the hedge. It is no wonder so many people hate the Christian life when they are living in the hedge of thorns instead of inside the hedge. Let me share with you several hedges I have built in my life, with the hope that you will build the same hedges in your life.

First, I have let God's Word be a hedge of thorns in my life. I daily read God's Word to determine what I need to do in life. Psalm 119:11 says, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. You will find that the more you read God's Word, the more sin will be avoided in your life. There's an old saying, “God's Word will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from God's Word.” If you want to stay inside the hedge of thorns, you will spend time daily in God's Word to let it influence your heart and mind for right.

Second, I have let prayer become a hedge of thorns in my life. Amos 3:3 says, Can two walk together, except they be agreed? You cannot walk with God in prayer and live in sin at the same time. You will always find that the person who has fallen in sin has always allowed their prayer life to wane. Having a daily prayer time and living your life in a spirit of prayer will help to keep you inside the hedge of thorns and protect your life from sin.

Third, I have established tithing as a prerequisite in my life to keep me inside the hedge of thorns. Tithing has a way of keeping you from spending money frivolously. Tithing will always give your heart to God, and when God has your heart, the issues of your life will be right.

Fourth, I have established principles for decision-making as a hedge of thorns to keep me close to God. Instead of allowing my feelings to make decisions for me, I have established principles to guide my decision-making. I never allow my feelings or situations to dictate my decisions; rather, I refer to my principles that I have established from God's Word to help me in making every decision.

Fifth, I give authorities veto power in my life to keep me inside the hedge of thorns so I will stay close to God. Somebody needs to be able to tell you “no,” and if nobody can tell you “no,” you will be sure to live in the hedges, and likely outside of the hedge. I would advise that your pastor is one of those people to whom you give veto power in your life, for he loves you and wants the best for your life.

Sixth, I keep a full schedule to stay inside the hedge of thorns so I can stay close to God. I have found that the busier I am, the less time I have to investigate or commit sin. Idle time is sins’ playground; keep yourself busy, and you won’t have time to enter the playground of sin.

Seventh, I keep directionally right associations to stay inside the hedge of thorns so I will continue to live a right life for God. Don’t just have good people as friends, but keep people who are directionally right in their own lives as your friends, and your friends will never point you to live in the hedges of thorns, which will keep you doing right and close to God.