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My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10 Anyone who can apply the proverbs to their life is a pretty wise person. That, in part, is why the Book of Proverbs is called “wisdom literature.” Proverbs 1:10 sounds simple enough. If someone asks me to do something that is sinful, “just say no.” I suppose part of the simplicity of this depends upon what a person has been taught to be sinful. One thing I was taught not to do is to murder anyone. To date, that has not happened. I have never been asked to do this. I suppose if it happened, I could say no. (There is not space to speak to the whole concept of wars.) I was taught not to steal, though most children I knew as a child did it. I remember when a boy taught me how to shoplift. I consented and did it once. I didn’t like how I felt and never did it again. I remember a time as a boy when a friend encouraged me to show disrespect towards my father. I didn’t, out of fear of the consequences, but I did not consent. Later in life, as a young adult, I was encouraged by others to lie on occasion. I did not consent. Society told me, when I was in my twenties, that I could have sexual relationships with women, in addition to my wife. Society commonly said, “Everyone is doing it.” I guess “everyone” wasn’t because I didn’t. I could go on and list other enticing situations, but suffice it to say, I thought I had done a pretty good job of applying this proverb to my life. Anyone who can apply the proverbs to their life is a pretty wise person. That, in part, is why the Book of Proverbs is called “wisdom literature.” As I thought about this, I remembered Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I also remembered something from the book, “The Four Agreements,” “Be impeccable with your word.” I always thought I was a pretty honest fellow. But through “The Four Agreements,” I have discovered that lying to myself is an easy thing to do. Can you hear where this is going? So, if I am a sinner, and if I am not to let sinners entice me, who is the person I need to concern myself with the most? In the words of Pogo, “I looked and discovered the enemy was me.” Generally speaking, it is pretty easy for me to be wise in light of this proverb when the sinners are drug users, mafia members, and crooks. But, I succumb to my own enticements all the time. The page limit and my own embarrassment prevent me from naming all these. A few would be when I allow myself to be “triangulated” between people because of my need to be liked. Then there are the times when I want something so bad I convince myself that it is in the best interest of the Church that I have, or do, it. Arguments within justifying the way I have done something are a common enticement. Do you struggle with these and more, - or is it just I? I haven’t figured out how to not be a sinner. So, until I do, I will try to make progress day by day, to say no to the biggest enticer in my life – me. Dawn Breaker #85: Live at a pace so that honesty with self can prevail. "There are a number of
guidelines I try to follow in life and ministry. I find that when I follow
them, situations sometimes become like the rising of the sun. There
is a luminous glow turning to great light, and occasionally, inspiration.
When I don't follow these adopted guidelines, they sometimes become Don
breakers, making life frustrating at best. I do not suggest
you should live by all the principles I choose for my life. If they
are helpful for you, make them your own. They work for me."
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