Proverbs 4:15
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Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
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Get away from it! Can't you see the warning? He repeated it four ways! The lifestyle of the wicked must be strictly avoided (4:14). Do not follow them. Do not learn their habits. Do not befriend the world. Reject their society. Go in wise and right paths (4:11-13).
Every parent worries about the peer pressure facing their children, and it was no different for Solomon. He told his son to walk in the way of wisdom and in right paths (4:11-13), and he warned him against the path of the wicked and the way of evil men (4:14-15).
Many excuse their sin by saying, "But everyone is doing it!" Wisdom answers back, "That proves it is wrong!" For this world lies in wickedness (I John 2:15-17; 5:19). Jesus said things highly esteemed by this world are an abomination to God (Luke 16:15). And to follow a crowd into sin and moral compromise is specifically condemned (Ex 23:2).
To avoid it is to keep clear of it or away from it, to have nothing to do with it, to shun it. To pass not by it is to keep a safe distance, to not approach it, to choose a course in another direction. To turn from it is to change direction when you realize you are near it, to quit and get away from it. To pass away is to keep moving away, to put distance between you and it. His words teach how we must reject the lifestyle of this world.
Jesus called us to enter the strait gate and walk in the narrow way (Matt 7:13-14). As a straitjacket is very restrictive, tight, and difficult to remove, so the way of wisdom is restrictive, tight, and difficult. The few that find and desire it must press into it by violent repentance and transformation (Matt 11:12; Luke 16:16). And to do so requires avoiding the wide gate and broad way that leads the foolish masses to destruction and hell. Though inviting and popular, God's saints will not even touch the unclean thing (II Cor 6:14-17).
A man blessed by God, a man walking with God, will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful (Ps 1:1). He will not have anything to do with them. He despises their thoughts and their lives. He knows that friendship with this world is to be God's enemy (Jas 4:4). So he gets as far away as he can; he does not even want the temptation to join them in sin (Rom 13:14).
Reader, do you know how vulnerable you are to the opinions and influence of others? Paul said, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (I Cor 15:33). You may think you can resist the lifestyle or philosophy of the wicked, but Paul denies it! You have to get away from them. You must hate their folly and pleasures alike. Go in the opposite direction and save your soul. See the comments on See the 13:20 and See the 19:27.
Wisdom will choose the way of righteousness and limit friends to those who fear God by their actions (Ps 119:63). You may have few friends here, but you are united to a great company of angels and just men waiting with Jesus for you in heaven (Heb 12:22-24).
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