November 14, 2025 • 14 mins
Choosing Your Associations: The Path of the Blessed
The episode highlights that being blessed isn’t just about avoiding certain people but about upholding one's character and holiness. I identify three types of individuals that a blessed person should watch out for: the ungodly, the sinners, and the scoffers. Each of these groups represents influences that can lead someone astray, and recognizing their traits is vital for anyone striving to live a life that honours God.
Chapters
• 0:00 Introduction to the Concept of Blessing
• 2:15 Understanding the Blessed Person
• 4:40 The Ungodly: Who They Are and Why to Avoid Them
• 10:30 The Sinner: Who They Are and Why to Avoid Them
• 15:50 The Scoffer: Who They Are and Why to Avoid Them
• 22:00 The Call to Sanctification
• 27:10 Conclusion and Prayer
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Blessed is the man who does not associate.
Many believers are familiar withthe word blessing and is often
used in the Christian jargon.
The book of Psalm begins withthe word blessed.
Blessed is the man or woman.
The word man is generic,referring to both male and
female.
This account is similar to thebeatitudes found on the Sermon
(00:23):
of the Mount by Jesus in Matthew5, 3 to 11.
So we live in a world where wemeasure blessing by material
possessions or positive outcomesin life.
In the Bible, we assess ormeasure blessing by a person's
(00:44):
character and relationship withGod.
Let's take a look at ourscriptural reference coming from
Psalm chapter 1, from verse 1and 2.
That's gonna be our focus.
It says, I read, Blessed is theman who walks not in the counsel
of the ungodly, not stands inthe path of sinners, not seats
(01:07):
in the seats of the sconfort.
Before we look at the threetypes of people that a blessed
man or woman should notassociate with based on their
actions, not your personhood.
Let's define the blessed man orwoman or the blessed person.
Hebraic sense, the word blessingis Asha, and you can find that
(01:29):
in strong camcorders HA35,because I like to define words
before I explain them, so it'sgood for you to know.
Blessed is characterized byhappiness, the declaration or
acknowledgement of good fortune,a joyful state, and a privilege
(01:49):
or favorable condition.
According to this verse, ablessed person is defined by the
kind of person they choose notto associate with, specifically,
at least the type of personsthat you and I, if we're gonna
consider ourselves as blessedindividuals, we should not
associate with the ungodly, thesinners, and the scoffers.
(02:13):
I believe is based on youractions, not based on your
person.
So a blessed person hasboundaries, a blessed person
sets standards, a blessed personprotects his character.
So this is what makes him ablessed person.
He is blessed as a result oftheir character by not
(02:34):
associating with certain peoplebased on their sinful life so
they don't become contaminated.
The reason why a blessed personwill not associate with the
ungodly, the sinners, and thescuffers is because they don't
want to be led astray.
They don't want their actions tolead the blessed man astray.
(02:56):
So the blessing that comes fromthis separation, again, it's not
about isolation, it's aboutseparation based on the deeds of
the ungodly, the deeds of thescuffer, the deeds of the
sinners that will lead theblessed man astray.
So it's not based ondiscrimination or isolation,
this is strictly based on beingset apart, sanctification as a
(03:21):
blessed man is a sanctified man,is a man that is set apart to
live a life that pleases God, tolive a life that honors God.
So it is not based ondiscrimination or isolation, it
is strictly based on certainactions that could eventually
lead this blessed man astray,and as a result, this blessed
(03:44):
man choose not to associate withthe ungodly, associate with the
sinners, associate with thescoffers.
Let's try now to explain indetails the three types of
individuals or associations thatthe blessed man should avoid
based on your actions that willlead them astray.
Number one, the ungodly.
(04:05):
Look what it says in Psalmchapter 1, verse 1.
The blessed blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of
the ungodly.
The first disassociation of theblessed man is the ungodly.
Ungodly is referred to as awicked person.
First is someone who is morallywrong, actively wicked, and
(04:27):
unjust.
So the ungodly are marked bywickedness and lack of the fear
of God.
They do not have God in theirhearts, they do not have God in
their minds, and generallyoppose God's word, they oppose
God's will, they oppose God'sways, they oppose God's wisdom.
So a blessed man will not walkin the counsel of the ungodly
(04:52):
because the ungodly opposes thethings of God.
The ungodly does not walk in thefear of God, the ungodly does
not have the wisdom of God to beable to guide you to give you
advice in whatever it is thatyou want to embark on.
So the blessed man does notassociate with the ungodly, nor
imitate your actions byfollowing your advice or
(05:14):
counsel.
As children of God, it is veryvital to carefully choose whom
you and I should seek advicefrom.
Definitely not from the ungodly,because the ungodly will not
give us counsel that we considerGod, that we have God in mind.
That is why to be a blessed manfrom a biblical point of view,
(05:35):
we need not to walk in thecounsel of the ungodly because
the ungodly cannot give us agodly advice, they cannot give
us advice or counsel that is inline with the word of God, that
is in line with the nature ofGod, that is in line with
goodness.
So if you notice someone givingyou ungodly or negative advice,
(05:56):
what you need to do as abeliever, this is an
instruction.
Stop listening to them.
If you're listening to theadvice, don't implement it,
don't put it in practice, don'ttake action because the advice
does not consider God in mind.
Now let's go to the secondperson that the blessed man
(06:18):
disassociate from.
Blessed man disassociate fromthe sinner.
Look what it says in Psalmchapter 1, verse 1.
Blessed is the man who walks notin the counsel of the ungodly.
We've already looked at that,nor stands in the path of
sinners.
So the second type of individualthat the blessed man should not
(06:40):
associate with, the blessed manshould completely avoid based on
your actions, not based on yourpersonhood, because this is not
about discrimination orisolation, this is about
sanctification.
That's why the separationexists.
In Hebrew, the word sinners ischata, it means a criminal or
someone who misses the mark orbreaks the law.
(07:03):
The blessed man does notassociate with somebody who's a
criminal, somebody who breaksthe law, somebody who misses the
mark.
A sinner is defined by people orpersons who miss the mark.
They disobey divine commands andcommit sins.
The blessed man does notassociate with sinners by
(07:24):
avoiding following theiractions, by not standing in the
path of the sinners.
They don't stand in the ways ofthe sinner, they don't stand in
the same direction of thesinners, they don't remain or
abide with someone who is acriminal.
Because if someone is acriminal, is a sinner, they're
committing sin, they're breakingthe law, they are breaking God's
(07:45):
command.
Why would you, as a blessed man,associate with such a person
based on your actions?
You can love them withboundaries.
You don't follow their actions,you can still love them with
boundaries.
A blessed person does not lingerin spaces or on the path of
sinners.
It is vital to avoid revisitingplaces that may influence sinful
(08:08):
behaviors, especially for youngpeople.
Try to avoid going to places,try to avoid standing in places,
try to avoid standing incompanies or a group of people
who you know for sure they areno good, who you know for sure
they're gonna commit sins, whoyou know for sure they're gonna
rob the bank, who you know forsure they're gonna rob the
stores, as we see on socialmedia.
(08:29):
You don't want to associate withsinners, people who commit sin,
people who break the laws,people who are criminals.
This is just the reality.
It's not gonna make your life ablessed life, it's not gonna
produce favorable outcome foryou.
It's gonna lead you indestruction and death.
Crime pays.
Finally, let's look at the thirdperson that the blessed man
should not associate with.
(08:50):
That is the scuffer.
Look what it says in Psalmchapter 1, verse 1.
Blessed is the man who works notin the counsel of the ungodly.
We tackled that already.
No stands in the path ofsinners, that's done as well.
No seats in the seat of thescornful.
This is gonna be our focus.
The blessed man does not sit inthe seat of the scornful.
(09:11):
This is the third type ofindividual that the blessed man
disassociates from.
Somebody who mocks, somebody wholaughs, somebody who teases,
somebody who makes fun, somebodywho doesn't take life seriously,
somebody who sees life as ajoke, somebody who sees people
as a joke.
The scornful are known for theirmockery.
(09:31):
They treat serious matters withcontempt and disrespect, often
laughing at issues ofimportance, especially at God,
his people, and sacred things.
So, such people, you don't wantto seat, you don't want to make
yourself comfortable in theirseat, making fun of God, using
(09:52):
God's name in vain, in theircursed words.
You don't want to associate withsuch person if you see yourself
or consider yourself as ablessed person according to the
Bible.
To them, divine matters arejokes, they misuse God's name
and they ridicule sacred things.
They make fun of church people.
You don't want to associate withthese type of people who make
(10:15):
fun of your God, who make fun ofyour concentration in God, who
make fun of your commitment inGod, who make fun of your
seriousness in God, who make funof your service in God, who make
fun of you trying your best tolive a life that pleases God.
Instead, they laugh at you, theysee it as a joke.
Do not associate with these typeof people because they're
scunners, they are scuffers,they are they are markers.
(10:37):
The blessed man does notassociate with a scumful and
avoids following their actionsby not sitting in their company
or becoming comfortable withthem, laughing along with them,
making jokes along with them.
The blessed man does not conductthis type of behaviors.
(10:59):
So, in conclusion, to provideyou with insight and
inspiration, instructions totake away, what we have read
here, the theme here issanctification, being set apart,
meaning that you distanceyourself from association with
the ungodly, the sinner, andscornful individuals based on
(11:20):
your actions.
That is why you're distancingyourself from them.
It is not based ondiscrimination or isolation, it
is strictly based on your ownconsecration, your own
sanctification being set apartfor God's use so that you're not
corrupted, you're notcontaminated by their actions
influencing your life.
(11:41):
Do not let the ungodly adviceinfluence your life.
Do not give in to the ungodlyadvice.
Do not head in the wrongdirection of the sinners.
Do not follow the same course ofactions of the sinners.
Do not stand in the ways of thesinners.
(12:02):
Do not remain chill amongmockers.
Don't spend time to laugh atlife.
Don't spend time to laugh withthose who make fun of life,
those who make fun of people,those who make fun of God, those
who make fun of everything inlife.
Don't take life seriously.
You as a blessed person, you canuse your time wisely to invest
(12:23):
in important matters.
Disassociate with people whoridicule, despise, and
disrespect important matters inlife.
So be very careful where you arewalking to.
Be very careful where you arestanding.
Be very careful where you aresitting because these are
(12:43):
actions that you and I willperform daily.
Do not walk in the counsel ofthe ungodly.
Do not stand in the path ofsinners.
Do not sit in the seat of thesconfort.
Based on your actions, they canlead the blessed man astray.
God bless you.
(13:04):
Let's pray.
Father, thank you for thiswonderful message.
I just pray that God you help usas we have heard your word to be
considered a blessed manaccording to your scripture.
You have given us instructionsbased on our associations, that
we should not associate withpeople who are ungodly, that so
that they will not give usungodly advice, that we should
(13:26):
not um stand in the path ofsinners, people who miss the
mark, who commit sin, people whoare criminals.
That's just a fact.
And he also instructs us that weshould not sit, make ourselves
comfortable with people who mockat you, mock our faith, and then
mock at life.
Help us to avoid such peoplebased on your actions, not
because we want to discriminatethem, but because we don't want
(13:47):
our manners to be corrupted.
We don't want our minds to becontaminated, we want to be
sanctified, meaning we want tobe set apart.
Only you can sanctify ourhearts, can sanctify our minds.
Finally, I ask that may you helpus to avoid wrong associations.
This I ask in Jesus' precious,powerful name we have prayed.
Amen.
(14:08):
If you have never given yourlife to Jesus Christ, Jesus is
coming very soon.
Jesus is King, Jesus is Lord,Jesus is your personal savior.
He wants you to have arelationship with him.
There is no way you can go toheaven, there's no way you can
have a relationship with Godwithout Jesus, because Jesus is
the only way, the truth, and thelife.
No one comes to the Fatherexcept through him.
He went on the cross to die foryou.
(14:28):
So I want you to give your lifeto Jesus.
He is coming very soon.
And I want to see your namewritten in the Lamb's book of
life.
God bless you.
Shalom.
Blessed is the man who does not associate.
Many believers are familiar withthe word blessing and is often
used in the Christian jargon.
The book of Psalm begins withthe word blessed.
Blessed is the man or woman.
The word man is generic,referring to both male and
female.
This account is similar to thebeatitudes found on the Sermon
(00:23):
of the Mount by Jesus in Matthew5, 3 to 11.
So we live in a world where wemeasure blessing by material
possessions or positive outcomesin life.
In the Bible, we assess ormeasure blessing by a person's
(00:44):
character and relationship withGod.
Let's take a look at ourscriptural reference coming from
Psalm chapter 1, from verse 1and 2.
That's gonna be our focus.
It says, I read, Blessed is theman who walks not in the counsel
of the ungodly, not stands inthe path of sinners, not seats
(01:07):
in the seats of the sconfort.
Before we look at the threetypes of people that a blessed
man or woman should notassociate with based on their
actions, not your personhood.
Let's define the blessed man orwoman or the blessed person.
Hebraic sense, the word blessingis Asha, and you can find that
(01:29):
in strong camcorders HA35,because I like to define words
before I explain them, so it'sgood for you to know.
Blessed is characterized byhappiness, the declaration or
acknowledgement of good fortune,a joyful state, and a privilege
(01:49):
or favorable condition.
According to this verse, ablessed person is defined by the
kind of person they choose notto associate with, specifically,
at least the type of personsthat you and I, if we're gonna
consider ourselves as blessedindividuals, we should not
associate with the ungodly, thesinners, and the scoffers.
(02:13):
I believe is based on youractions, not based on your
person.
So a blessed person hasboundaries, a blessed person
sets standards, a blessed personprotects his character.
So this is what makes him ablessed person.
He is blessed as a result oftheir character by not
(02:34):
associating with certain peoplebased on their sinful life so
they don't become contaminated.
The reason why a blessed personwill not associate with the
ungodly, the sinners, and thescuffers is because they don't
want to be led astray.
They don't want their actions tolead the blessed man astray.
(02:56):
So the blessing that comes fromthis separation, again, it's not
about isolation, it's aboutseparation based on the deeds of
the ungodly, the deeds of thescuffer, the deeds of the
sinners that will lead theblessed man astray.
So it's not based ondiscrimination or isolation,
this is strictly based on beingset apart, sanctification as a
(03:21):
blessed man is a sanctified man,is a man that is set apart to
live a life that pleases God, tolive a life that honors God.
So it is not based ondiscrimination or isolation, it
is strictly based on certainactions that could eventually
lead this blessed man astray,and as a result, this blessed
(03:44):
man choose not to associate withthe ungodly, associate with the
sinners, associate with thescoffers.
Let's try now to explain indetails the three types of
individuals or associations thatthe blessed man should avoid
based on your actions that willlead them astray.
Number one, the ungodly.
(04:05):
Look what it says in Psalmchapter 1, verse 1.
The blessed blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of
the ungodly.
The first disassociation of theblessed man is the ungodly.
Ungodly is referred to as awicked person.
First is someone who is morallywrong, actively wicked, and
(04:27):
unjust.
So the ungodly are marked bywickedness and lack of the fear
of God.
They do not have God in theirhearts, they do not have God in
their minds, and generallyoppose God's word, they oppose
God's will, they oppose God'sways, they oppose God's wisdom.
So a blessed man will not walkin the counsel of the ungodly
(04:52):
because the ungodly opposes thethings of God.
The ungodly does not walk in thefear of God, the ungodly does
not have the wisdom of God to beable to guide you to give you
advice in whatever it is thatyou want to embark on.
So the blessed man does notassociate with the ungodly, nor
imitate your actions byfollowing your advice or
(05:14):
counsel.
As children of God, it is veryvital to carefully choose whom
you and I should seek advicefrom.
Definitely not from the ungodly,because the ungodly will not
give us counsel that we considerGod, that we have God in mind.
That is why to be a blessed manfrom a biblical point of view,
(05:35):
we need not to walk in thecounsel of the ungodly because
the ungodly cannot give us agodly advice, they cannot give
us advice or counsel that is inline with the word of God, that
is in line with the nature ofGod, that is in line with
goodness.
So if you notice someone givingyou ungodly or negative advice,
(05:56):
what you need to do as abeliever, this is an
instruction.
Stop listening to them.
If you're listening to theadvice, don't implement it,
don't put it in practice, don'ttake action because the advice
does not consider God in mind.
Now let's go to the secondperson that the blessed man
(06:18):
disassociate from.
Blessed man disassociate fromthe sinner.
Look what it says in Psalmchapter 1, verse 1.
Blessed is the man who walks notin the counsel of the ungodly.
We've already looked at that,nor stands in the path of
sinners.
So the second type of individualthat the blessed man should not
(06:40):
associate with, the blessed manshould completely avoid based on
your actions, not based on yourpersonhood, because this is not
about discrimination orisolation, this is about
sanctification.
That's why the separationexists.
In Hebrew, the word sinners ischata, it means a criminal or
someone who misses the mark orbreaks the law.
(07:03):
The blessed man does notassociate with somebody who's a
criminal, somebody who breaksthe law, somebody who misses the
mark.
A sinner is defined by people orpersons who miss the mark.
They disobey divine commands andcommit sins.
The blessed man does notassociate with sinners by
(07:24):
avoiding following theiractions, by not standing in the
path of the sinners.
They don't stand in the ways ofthe sinner, they don't stand in
the same direction of thesinners, they don't remain or
abide with someone who is acriminal.
Because if someone is acriminal, is a sinner, they're
committing sin, they're breakingthe law, they are breaking God's
(07:45):
command.
Why would you, as a blessed man,associate with such a person
based on your actions?
You can love them withboundaries.
You don't follow their actions,you can still love them with
boundaries.
A blessed person does not lingerin spaces or on the path of
sinners.
It is vital to avoid revisitingplaces that may influence sinful
(08:08):
behaviors, especially for youngpeople.
Try to avoid going to places,try to avoid standing in places,
try to avoid standing incompanies or a group of people
who you know for sure they areno good, who you know for sure
they're gonna commit sins, whoyou know for sure they're gonna
rob the bank, who you know forsure they're gonna rob the
stores, as we see on socialmedia.
(08:29):
You don't want to associate withsinners, people who commit sin,
people who break the laws,people who are criminals.
This is just the reality.
It's not gonna make your life ablessed life, it's not gonna
produce favorable outcome foryou.
It's gonna lead you indestruction and death.
Crime pays.
Finally, let's look at the thirdperson that the blessed man
should not associate with.
(08:50):
That is the scuffer.
Look what it says in Psalmchapter 1, verse 1.
Blessed is the man who works notin the counsel of the ungodly.
We tackled that already.
No stands in the path ofsinners, that's done as well.
No seats in the seat of thescornful.
This is gonna be our focus.
The blessed man does not sit inthe seat of the scornful.
(09:11):
This is the third type ofindividual that the blessed man
disassociates from.
Somebody who mocks, somebody wholaughs, somebody who teases,
somebody who makes fun, somebodywho doesn't take life seriously,
somebody who sees life as ajoke, somebody who sees people
as a joke.
The scornful are known for theirmockery.
(09:31):
They treat serious matters withcontempt and disrespect, often
laughing at issues ofimportance, especially at God,
his people, and sacred things.
So, such people, you don't wantto seat, you don't want to make
yourself comfortable in theirseat, making fun of God, using
(09:52):
God's name in vain, in theircursed words.
You don't want to associate withsuch person if you see yourself
or consider yourself as ablessed person according to the
Bible.
To them, divine matters arejokes, they misuse God's name
and they ridicule sacred things.
They make fun of church people.
You don't want to associate withthese type of people who make
(10:15):
fun of your God, who make fun ofyour concentration in God, who
make fun of your commitment inGod, who make fun of your
seriousness in God, who make funof your service in God, who make
fun of you trying your best tolive a life that pleases God.
Instead, they laugh at you, theysee it as a joke.
Do not associate with these typeof people because they're
scunners, they are scuffers,they are they are markers.
(10:37):
The blessed man does notassociate with a scumful and
avoids following their actionsby not sitting in their company
or becoming comfortable withthem, laughing along with them,
making jokes along with them.
The blessed man does not conductthis type of behaviors.
(10:59):
So, in conclusion, to provideyou with insight and
inspiration, instructions totake away, what we have read
here, the theme here issanctification, being set apart,
meaning that you distanceyourself from association with
the ungodly, the sinner, andscornful individuals based on
(11:20):
your actions.
That is why you're distancingyourself from them.
It is not based ondiscrimination or isolation, it
is strictly based on your ownconsecration, your own
sanctification being set apartfor God's use so that you're not
corrupted, you're notcontaminated by their actions
influencing your life.
(11:41):
Do not let the ungodly adviceinfluence your life.
Do not give in to the ungodlyadvice.
Do not head in the wrongdirection of the sinners.
Do not follow the same course ofactions of the sinners.
Do not stand in the ways of thesinners.
(12:02):
Do not remain chill amongmockers.
Don't spend time to laugh atlife.
Don't spend time to laugh withthose who make fun of life,
those who make fun of people,those who make fun of God, those
who make fun of everything inlife.
Don't take life seriously.
You as a blessed person, you canuse your time wisely to invest
(12:23):
in important matters.
Disassociate with people whoridicule, despise, and
disrespect important matters inlife.
So be very careful where you arewalking to.
Be very careful where you arestanding.
Be very careful where you aresitting because these are
(12:43):
actions that you and I willperform daily.
Do not walk in the counsel ofthe ungodly.
Do not stand in the path ofsinners.
Do not sit in the seat of thesconfort.
Based on your actions, they canlead the blessed man astray.
God bless you.
(13:04):
Let's pray.
Father, thank you for thiswonderful message.
I just pray that God you help usas we have heard your word to be
considered a blessed manaccording to your scripture.
You have given us instructionsbased on our associations, that
we should not associate withpeople who are ungodly, that so
that they will not give usungodly advice, that we should
(13:26):
not um stand in the path ofsinners, people who miss the
mark, who commit sin, people whoare criminals.
That's just a fact.
And he also instructs us that weshould not sit, make ourselves
comfortable with people who mockat you, mock our faith, and then
mock at life.
Help us to avoid such peoplebased on your actions, not
because we want to discriminatethem, but because we don't want
(13:47):
our manners to be corrupted.
We don't want our minds to becontaminated, we want to be
sanctified, meaning we want tobe set apart.
Only you can sanctify ourhearts, can sanctify our minds.
Finally, I ask that may you helpus to avoid wrong associations.
This I ask in Jesus' precious,powerful name we have prayed.
Amen.
(14:08):
If you have never given yourlife to Jesus Christ, Jesus is
coming very soon.
Jesus is King, Jesus is Lord,Jesus is your personal savior.
He wants you to have arelationship with him.
There is no way you can go toheaven, there's no way you can
have a relationship with Godwithout Jesus, because Jesus is
the only way, the truth, and thelife.
No one comes to the Fatherexcept through him.
He went on the cross to die foryou.
(14:28):
So I want you to give your lifeto Jesus.
He is coming very soon.
And I want to see your namewritten in the Lamb's book of
life.
God bless you.
Shalom.
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