This morning I saw tragic news about a woman who died in a fiery crash when she drove onto the nearby freeway going the wrong way and hit a big rig head on.

We can’t know why she drove onto the freeway going in the wrong direction. It was dark, so maybe she didn’t see the warning signs. It was in the middle of the night, so perhaps she was overtired. The news account didn’t mention whether she may have been impaired by drugs, alcohol, or a medical condition. Was it foggy? All we do know is that she was speeding along going the wrong way.

As Christians, we are required to go against the flow of our culture, but we are given clear instructions about how to avoid going the wrong way.

² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2

We can renew our minds by studying and applying the Scriptures. Like “do not enter” signs on the freeway off-ramps, the Bible gives us clear warnings when we are tempted to go the wrong way. God’s Word is a light and a lamp guiding our footsteps and we ignore it at our peril.

²⁵ What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. ^26-27 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. ²⁸ Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. ²⁹ Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. ³⁰ Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. ^31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:25-32 (MSG)

Please pray today for the family and friends of the woman who died last night, that they will draw close to God and be comforted in their time of heartache.