Proverbs 1:10: Simple advice greatly needed

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”
-Proverbs 1:10

Well, duh!

Solomon begins his practical advice rather simply, doesn’t he? Is this the wisest man in the world? “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” That one seems a little obvious to me.

Or at least I wish it were so.

Sadly, I’m beginning to realize how profound a statement like this is. The sad fact is that, when sinners entice, we normally jump right in.

And I’m not even really talking about non-Christians here, but people in the Church. As we have said over and over again on this blog, we cannot even begin to really live according to what we read in Proverbs without Jesus, so let’s use that as a starting point. There are countless Christians who still answer the call of sinners every day.

We have some great excuses for it to. When the guys are making inappropriate comments about a woman in the office, we tell ourselves that it is harmless fun. If we get angry often, maybe we tell ourselves that’s just how we’re wired, it’s our nature. If we keep falling to sexual sin, maybe we’ll say that we’re weak and the other person took advantage of that.

We even use the fact that we are sinners (which we are) to excuse sin. How many times have I heard a Christian say, “I’m trying, but I’ll probably slip. I’m a sinner after all!”

Thankfully, it is true that, when we sin, Jesus will be an advocate for us. But there is a difference between striving for righteousness and using our pasts to excuse our present actions.

The profound thing about this statement is that we CAN say “no” when sinners entice. This goes against the practice of so much of Christianity. We live in a society that tells us “it’s not your fault,” “it’s just the way you’re wired,” and “that’s just the way you are.”

And the simple reply of the Bible is, “do not consent.”

In a way, the world is right. We were sinners from the start (Psalm 51:5), and we are slaves to it. We can try to bend our wills to be good, but we will always eventually fail.

It is only through Christ that we have a chance to rise above to the level of “do not consent.” It is only by repenting of our old ways and seeking after His that we can turn away from the enticement of sinners and embrace righteousness.

Before we take a step farther into Proverbs, if you have not done so, I urge you to make that turn toward Him. Repent of the old selfishness and pride, and submit to Him. Only He is righteous, and so only He has the power to guide you in righteousness.