Proverbs 1:15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
There are lots of paths we can choose in life. The paths we choose to take will determine our outcome. It may be easy just to go along with the crowd, but this is not God's desire for us. He alone can set us on the right path for our life. There are some things that, as godly principles, we can all choose. But each of us have specifics that are for us alone, as we are led by the Spirit of the Lord. We have the witness of the Spirit within us, speaking to us as the children of God. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:12-17). What I believe are the sufferings of Christ, are those things He chose to walk in that were contrary to the world and its ideas, the pathway of heaven. We, too, are told to take up our cross and follow Him. Our cross is the intersection of heavenly things with earthly things contrary to those heavenly things. That forms our cross. Remember, God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8, 9). How do we discover God's path for our lives? Romans 12:1, 2 gives us some direction. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.