When sinners entice, do not consent.
Enticement by it’s nature is alluring, attractive or otherwise appealing. So how do you combat that which is appealing? Or do you fight it at all? What is it that keeps you from listening to the enticement? What holds your feet to the course? What constrains your steps?
Fear of consequence is one deterrent, but not the only one – and not the best one. Many times we fail to heed the warning call of others because we are loaded with pride – thinking we will not fall victim to the traps that have snagged so many others. Our pride tells us,
“Yes, that is what usually happens but I’m different. That won’t happen to me. I am the exception to the rule.”
So in the end, the heart that is proud will buy the enticement and that because of latent desire.The person who has not made up their mind will find that they can be pulled easily in the direction of the clever and persuasive. They become victims of an ever growing body count.
I believe that the battle in Proverbs is largely for those in this all important “middle ground.” The undecided are beckoned from the extremes on both sides – the willful, flagrant sinners and those who have long traveled on the path of righteousness. Wisdom and folly call out to the same crowd.
The enticement, or better put, the propaganda from the side of Folly is strong. “Easy money, easy sex, power and instant gratification!” read the signs. They coerce many into their posse by the strength of their numbers (peer pressure) and strength in arms (he with the biggest gun rules). Ruthlessness and a seared conscience are helpful on this path – character traits they glory in.
And the danger of this route is that there is a half-truth to their claims. Drugs do give a great high and violence does get you power and praise. But what is always veiled is the price of the high and the audience from whom you gain praise. They say they will throw the loot in one pot and share it with you but they don't mention how they will one day turn on you. The dogs don’t tell you that one day you will be the one they devour. They hide the cannibalistic nature of their alliances. (To put it less dramatically, the gossip wants you to think that she doesn’t gossip about you.)
But again, many times this type of knowledge - the warning sign - only does so much good. So then, what will keep your feet from straying onto the path of easy money, easy sex and instant gratification? What will hold you fast?
Consider the source
When I look back on early years of my life I remember being mocked a lot and getting picked on. People could get me going so easy. I was never able to break free from that until I looked to the Lord for approval instead of people. Once I figured out whose opinion really mattered to me then I was finally able to stand strong.
My parents had told me countless times when someone was teasing me “consider the source.” If a fat guy calls you fat why are you taking that seriously? Why would you expect a kid who makes fun of every person on the planet to not make fun of you? If a kid is in the habit of telling tall tales to win people to his side (a liar) spins a grand story about you why would that surprise you? In other words, why do you honor them by caring what they think? Their opinion is not worth striving for. The Christian is always asking “whose approval do I gain if I make this choice?”
You are going to meet a lot of convincing, charming folks on the path of life and their smooth talk must be checked by the counsel of God. We must return to simple the simple truths, the truths that a child can understand:
“I want to obey my Father because I know Him. I know what He is like. I know He is utterly faithful. And I know He loves me. But as for you – I don’t know you and I have no idea what your plans for me might be. So until I can establish where you stand I will not listen to you or trust you.
Oh, and I will never listen to you like I do my Father because I know what man is – but as for God, His way is perfect. And His love for me is perfect so I am confident in His counsel and I know I can rest at ease if I listen to His instruction. I cannot say this of you.”
Many of us travel through life as though all the people we meet really want the very best for us – or at least that they won’t do us harm. We trust people we hardly know or just met with vital information about us. We trust them to treat us right.
Of course the problem with that is that the sharks swim in the same ocean we like to play in. And the most dangerous wolves blend in with the sheep. This is not a cowardice “be afraid of the world” speech. It is an appeal to live with your eyes wide open.
When the sinners come calling how will you resist? When the temptation is hot how will you fight off the urge? This much can be said with certainty, if you have no plan – you have planned to fail. You are setting yourself up to be eaten by the sharks. So ask yourself: Do I want to swim with the sharks or sing with the angels?
Gladiators – we salute you!
Many of us have seen the gladiator movies. We have heard of the rush of the crowd and the vehement applause for the victors, the roar of the mob in their lust for blood. Many became drunk with the trill, including more than one Emperor (including the one in the movie Gladiator, Commodus, who was much worse in the history books than in the movie). They loved the adoration of the crowd, the applause and praise of men. And their praises died with them, never ascending any higher than the atmosphere of Earth.
You probably know well the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife and how she repeatedly sought to sleep with him. I do hope you have paid attention to his response, his reason for rejecting her – it is the stuff of legend. At the heart of it lies these words:
“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
The heroes of God consistently view their decisions in this light. They made a direct connection between their moral choices and their standing before God. Joseph knew what he wanted – he wanted his God to applaud.
This is the beating heart of the Christian. The fear of consequence will often keep you from straying but thoughts such as these will remind you of why you went down this path in the first place and why you forever want to walk in it.
