Today, we focus upon Proverbs 1:10-16. Solomon begins teaching specifically about a certain characterized group called sinners.  If we have ever seen a day of people who are lawless and sinning, it is now. Many live for self and enjoy sin.  Note the warning in verse 10:  "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."  Since the day of that initial temptation experienced by Adam and Eve in the Garden, and their subsequent fall from innocence, those who choose sin over the Savior have been enticing others to sin. Sinners seek companions, and they will do their best to trap and enlist people to help them to do their sinful bidding.  Solomon simply tells his son to say NO! To consent is to accept and be willing, and, as you know, it is never right to do wrong.  People who are unlearned in the ways of Christ, or uncommitted to follow Christ are perfect targets, and will eventually join the bidding of the ungodly sinner.

Verses 11-14, "If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse."  Ungodly sinners seek to entice those who live gullibly, and promise they will share in the bounty that results from their criminal activity.  

Solomon taught and warned his son in verses 15-16, "...walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.  For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood." The world’s crowd is quick to run to that which is sinful.  The Bible teaches us a principle we call separation. 2 Corinthians 6:14 & 17 warns, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing..."  Solomon's pointed counsel to his son was, "walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path."  Don't associate with them, and certainly do not run with them.  Separation from the world is a wise principle to follow.  You and your children will benefit greatly by following this principle.  

Running with the wrong crowd eventually leads to violence.  As you know, the television and newspaper coverages are filled with such violence every day.  I pray you will teach, over and over again, the truth of Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

May God richly bless you as you meditate upon the truths of God's Word.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. Do you maintain associations with people who enjoy sinning? How do they influence you? Is this influence right according to Scripture?

2. Sinners love and seek company. Where are some places sinners congregate?

3. Do you agree that often people get into trouble because of evil influences? What can you do to refrain from such influence?

4. How does today’s violence and rioting fit into your understanding of this passage?