Proverbs 1:10
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My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
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Sinners are not content sinning and going to hell by themselves. They want to include others in their wickedness. Bringing the innocent into their sinful activities and friendship helps justify their evil minds, and the devil uses them to corrupt God's saints.
The context describes a group of cutthroats luring an innocent young
man into their gang (1:11-14).
They offer him friendship, unity, success, and riches. The Preacher warns
his son to stay away from them, for they are wicked and headed for destruction
(1:15-19).
Strong men will not agree with sinners for any reason! They are committed
to what is right, and the folly of fools angers them. They hate the wicked
(Ps
101:3;
139:21-22)!
How do sinners entice - seduce, attract, or lure - saints? There are several ways, and they provide wonderful lessons for increasing in wisdom and understanding.
First, there is family. And woe to those who exalt family over Scripture,
for they will compromise righteousness to save it. What a cheap sell-out!
For family? A dinner table with sinners and saints confused? So Jesus
taught His disciples to hate family in comparison to Him (Luke
14:26). His doctrine divides families to test our love of Him (Matt
10:34-37). If we will not forsake family for Jesus Christ and the
truth, we are not worthy of Him. Because Eli chose his sons, God destroyed
him forever (I
Sam 3:13).
Second, there is fear of man. If we worry about what others think or
do, we trap our own souls (29:25).
We will compromise Scripture to keep them happy. We call it peer pressure,
when it involves children; but we say little, when it involves adults.
What a disgusting fear! Why not say, "I will not fear what man shall do
unto me" (Heb
13:6)? Peter, noble and brave in his intentions, compromised horribly
before mere maids! And Pilate, warned by his wife and convicted himself,
could not release Jesus before the Jews!
Third, there is association. Some are so desperate for society, they
will do anything to keep their standing. Our proverb's "us"
is precious to them. Standing alone overwhelms these weaklings. They need
acceptance and support to survive. Believers among the Jews would not
confess Jesus for fear of losing synagogue membership (John
12:42). God condemns this compromising association with sinners (Isaiah
8:9;
II Chron 19:1-2)! He is looking for men who will stand against the
crowd like Joshua and Caleb!
Fourth, suggested or offered success is enticing. The young man was told
he could fill his house with treasure, if he were to join the gang (1:13).
How many men have sacrificed their convictions to get ahead in their profession?
What a revolting trade! It took only thirty pieces of silver to buy the
soul of Judas and sell the Lord Jesus. It took only a little silver and
two changes of clothes to buy the soul of Gehazi. How cheap!
The world's enticements can be reduced to three kinds of sin - the lust
of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I
John 2:15-17). Satan used these three enticements on Eve, and they
worked (Gen
3:6); he tried them on our Lord, but He resisted them. Are you able
to identify these offerings by sinners and detect your weakness for them?
Churches today offer a smorgasbord of dessert-like inventions for carnal Christians and the unregenerate. They boast of their growth and many programs to satisfy the lusts of every age and sex. They make great efforts to entice you to join them. Don't consent!
Dear reader, are you settled on the rock of God's Word? Will you remain there regardless of who might entice you or what might be offered? Do you know your own soul and the weaknesses of it? Examine yourself, and remove any temptations far away!
Our Lord Jesus was enticed by the devil three times (Luke
4:1-13). Did He compromise at all? Not a chance! And what was His
answer each time? It is written! Do you love the Second Adam for
His infinite superiority to the First Adam? We praise Thee, O God!
Wisdom demands you end unnecessary and/or tempting relationships with
sinners (1:15)!
See the comments on 13:20. David's conviction
to live a righteous life included cutting off any sinner among his acquaintances,
even if it included family members (Ps
101:4-8). Are you ready and willing to stand alone against all the
enticements of the wicked?
Righteousness is character that resists the attraction of sin. No matter how desirable an evil person or thing might be, it will not give in. It will hold its principles regardless.
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