Weekly Pulpit Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not.… Some point is gained by regarding this as Solomon's advice to his son Rehoboam, who probably was an only son, and certainly was brought up amidst the dangerous luxuries and flatteries of Eastern court life. One of his chief perils lay in evil companionships. The surface of society never tells the truth concerning it. It is strange to find Rehoboam warned of "wild banditti" (vers. 11-14). Illustrate from the "Prince Hal" of English history and common sentiment concerning such men as "Robin Hood." Drinking, gambling, and impurity are the wild evils of our time, and the caution of the text applies to them. I. TEMPTATIONS MUST COME. This is a necessary law for those who are placed on probation. Forms of enticement differ in different ages. In each age, in each setting of social circumstances, there is a lawless, self-indulgent side. There is in all young people a love of romance, and a high-spiritedness, which makes them delight in adventure; but selfishness and covetousness are the dispositions which most readily respond to enticements of social evil. None can hope to escape temptation, none should wish to escape it. There is no possible culture of moral character without such testing. II. SIN LIES IN CONSENTING TO ENTICEMENTS. Personal consent is essential to sin. What advice can then be given to the young? 1. Do not put yourself in the way of temptation. 2. Meet enticement with simple refusal. III. THE CHARACTER OF AN ENTICEMENT IS SHOWN IN THE CHARACTER OF THOSE WHO PRESENT IT. We are often placed in difficulty by the disguises of temptation. Especially before we have gained life-experience. By the hands and the neck it does seem like Esau. By the talk it does seem a wise serpent. A fair judgment of it is often beyond our power, But judging those who offer the temptation is always possible. If a man is not a good man, you had better suspect what he wants you to do. If you know a man is good, you may begin with confidence in his advice. If sinners entice, it is always safe not to consent. If the good invite, it is always best to consent at once. God is the infinitely good One, and to His call and invitation instant and unquestioning response should be given. (Weekly Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. |
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