While the selfish person believes they’re setting a trap for others, they’re actually setting a trap for themselves. Their ill-gotten gain turns out to be no gain at all. It’s a curse and a ticking time bomb that will most certainly go off.

Proverbs 1:8-19

Whether we’re young and still under the authority of our parents or we’re older and making decisions for ourselves, there’s good advice contained in the first chapter of Proverbs. We’ll be addressing verses 8 through 19 today, which is wisdom from a father to a son about evil influences. There are some details about how these evil influences behave and some encouragement to walk in the opposite direction.

At first reading, the behavior of the sinners described in this passage doesn’t sound too enticing. We may think to ourselves, “I would never get wrapped up in something like that.” But don’t be so sure.

Based on the news reports I read every day, someone is getting involved with things like this, probably someone who assumed they never would. And they could have used this advice as they traveled along life’s path. Evil influences can take us far off course. They can ruin any chance we had of being godly people. They’re used by the enemy to destroy us. Let’s hear more about them as we begin our passage of the day.

Proverbs 1:8-9

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Sons should hear and heed the instruction of fathers. They should not forget or reject the instruction of mothers. At our earliest age and far into our adulthood, their words should ring in our ears. They want what is best for us. And if they know God, they want us to follow God and they tell us the things that will help us walk with Him. Obedience to their instructions will adorn us. If we’ve learned their lessons, it will go well for us. And the respect and honor we gain in life will come from developing the character traits they encouraged in us.

There are always exceptions, of course. Not every parent models the right behavior. But those who do should be regarded highly. They should be respected and acclaimed. But their influence is often countered by those in the world. Their wisdom goes against conventional wisdom, and that is the wisdom of the world. Parents know this.

Proverbs 1:10

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

That’s where we get our theme of the day. Solomon teaches here that we should not just go along. If those who live according to a pattern of sin encourage us to do something, we should not consent. We should reject their evil ways and reject their foolishness.

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