Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods. (Deut. 28:14)
Expanded Passage: Numbers 6:22-27, Deuteronomy 28:1-14
One of the best pieces of advice my driving instructor gave me was to look at the road out ahead of me instead of concentrating on what was right in front of the car, or worse yet, at the lines on the road beside me. He explained that to drive smoothly I needed to focus farther ahead and then my hands on the steering wheel would follow. If I look directly in front of me, I’m always reacting too late to the curves, signs, and speed or breaking pattern of the cars in front of me.
Following God’s lead requires the same focus. He tells us that we are to live lives in alignment with the commands in the Bible. We must not look to the right or the left or we will find ourselves following other gods. How easy it is to use money as a means of security, physical food to stave off spiritual hunger, unhealthy relationships in place of time with God, when we allow the world to be our guide. We must keep our eyes on our Lord, if we want to be in line with his will. This involves reading his word until we know his commands in our hearts, and learning to hear his voice gently calling us when we begin to veer off course.
Keep your focus on God, not on the world around you.
Beth Gormong is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University (IN) and serves at Wesleyan Publishing House. She spends her free time at the library reading and writing.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
