Little insignificant things can change everythin’ in life.”
–A.K. Vyas (Shannon)
“They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”
–2 Peter 2:19 (NLT)
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The father gives another few warnings to end chapter 5 of Proverbs. The question is, “Why?” Why should you do that? Why did I do that? Why would anyone do that? Perhaps you have questioned someone and asked them, “Why in the world did you do that?”
20 — For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?
21 — For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.
22 — His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin.
23 — He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. (NKJV)
In studying these verses the phrase “practical atheists” came up several times. Few people are truly atheists, but many, including those who may call themselves Christians, live that way. This is practical atheism, for they live as if there is no God or that He is asleep and does not notice their deeds. I do want to mention a comment by Dan Dick who brings up the idea that the “strange woman” or “immoral woman” could be a cult, a false religion that entraps an individual. We know that there are many false paths and the primary focus of the father is to warn about “strange women,” but indeed it could also include the idea of moving away from the Father and going down the wrong paths of those who have enticed them to think that there are many paths to God. It is good to avoid “strangers”–physical, mental, and spiritual.
Reading these verses we cannot help but realize that the free will that people clamor they have and the freedom they want must be used wisely. A person has to choose wisely in this life or they may end up trapped by sin. Listen, one sin can easily lead to another sin, then another until the conscience is seared and the heart is calloused. Bob Beasley states, “Repetition of any practice forms a habit, and the habit becomes our master, or the cords that hold us fast.” The freedom we love to proclaim can lead to bondage. “The laws of God are guideposts to lead us on the path of life, and He watches the decisions we make and the roads we take.” (Warren Weirsbe)
When speaking in chapels I often used the illustration of thread. I would choose one brawny, cocky boy and would wrap one strand of thread around him daring him to break it which he did easily. The next step was to wrap five strands of thread and again he was able to break it. Then, usually while telling the story of Samson, I would wrap and wrap and wrap several strands of tiny thread around the boys, however this time they could not break the thread. What was once easy now held him bound. We read of the words of Jesus in John, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” (8:34, NKJV)
Upon reading verses 22 and 23, the thought of Marley’s ghost comes to mind. He was chained by the iniquities of his past deeds. Hmmm, I wonder if those who do not accept Christ when they kneel before Him on Judgment Day if they will be wrapped in the chains of their sins. “Change your ways,” he warned Scrooge, “or your chains will entrap you. The NLT translates verse 22 this way, “An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.” These people die because they have no self-control. Their utter stupidity will send them to the grave. The HCSB puts verse 23, “He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity.”
There is no place secret enough to commit sin. God is all-knowing and is always watching. Man may think himself brilliant because he is not apprehended by human law, but he does not realize that he is bound by his own deeds. Slowly and surely they hold him fast. This man, the undisciplined one, the one without self-control will die as he lived–a fool. He is a fool not for lack of instruction, but because he does not heed it. We must; it is imperative that we pay attention to the way we live our lives.
But let me end with a positive note. We are never out of the sight of the Lord. He is always there and as a Christian we have the Holy Spirit to help us obey the instruction of the Father. Dick writes, “There is absolutely no place we can go that God will not be there also. His hand is always on our shoulder and He watches all our steps.” Follow the instruction of the Father.