Proverbs 1:10
Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Many Christian ministries have cruises where their supporters can come together for fellowship and Bible study along with enjoying a scenic vacation. However, even in this setting the lure of sin is close at hand in the form of gambling as the photo above shows. With the advancements that our society has in transportation, recreation, and information technology, the availability and diversity of the enticements Christians receive from sinners pose an ever-present danger. Many of the desires of the flesh mentioned in Scripture are readily available in our culture and some can be gratified with a few clicks of a computer mouse. Sinful and unrighteous activities have increased and become more accepted in the last few decades and access has become much easier. Gambling, pornography, drugs, prostitution, perversions, homosexuality, promiscuity and gang activity have become widespread in America and the enticements start early in the lives of young people and even children. These enticements come regularly as young people are encouraged to conform to the ways of the world through advertising and peer pressure. It is not a matter of if children will be enticed but rather of when and how often.
However, this proverb gives the wise solution to this problem when it warns do not consent. Don’t participate in unrighteous and ungodly activities. Don’t experiment with behaviors and activities that can and do ruin lives. Sin is its own punishment. These very temptations that appear to offer pleasure and happiness often bring misery and destruction. To pay for a short season of pleasure with a lifetime of regret and misery is not a good trade. Therefore, heed this parable and do not consent to the enticements that can ruin your life. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 said: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
6 comments:
A person I knew once professed Christ. In later years he thought he'd experiment visiting gay bars. Many in the bar found him attractive and hit on him. Soon that whole scene became his lifestyle. He contracted AIDS....
Pure truth and it's entirely up to us and our will!!!!!
Susan
Very good post Jazzy! You always do better than that Wayne fella! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Seriously, brother, that was an excellent post from an excellent brother in Christ.
Mark,
Very sad and what a perfect illustration for this Proverb.
Susan,
Thanks. Hope things are going well.
Doug,
Good to hear from you. Come back often....
The Bible shows that, throughout history, God’s people have been given the responsibility of being witnesses to their lost neighbors, while being warned of God not to join in with any sinful practices.
However, in the Old Testament we find, time and time again, God’s people succumbing to the worldly and fleshly activities of unbelievers they lived among. This is still a problem today, as Christians grieve the Holy Spirit by crossing the line, and going from being “in the world,” to living like we are “of the world.” To show the seriousness of this in the Lord’s eyes, He likens such unfaithfulness to fornication and adultery.
As God’s people began to dabble in idol-worship, pagan religious practices, and making treaties with heathen nations, rather than trusting in the Lord their God, He used the prophet Ezekiel to speak forth some of the strongest language in the whole Bible. “Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.” (Ezekiel 16:26)
Believers today must avoid the temptation of committing spiritual prostitution. We must not invest the great blessings we enjoy into worldly, or flesh-driven, pursuits, even those of our neighbors.
ministry addict,
Very good points. Thanks for stopping by.
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