Dealing With The Enticement Of The World

by Pastor Mark
September 05, 2024

The warning of being enticed

We live in a world where many things can entice us to fall into the ways of the world. Whether through bad friendships, material things or seemingly “sound” advice, we can fall prey to their enticement.

The author of Proverbs provides many warnings for us to heed, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” (Proverbs 1:10) We recognise that there are many sinful people in the world who seek to influence and entice us. When we unknowingly make friends with them and put our trust in them, we can be in real danger. Their evil and wicked ways can cause us to falter and fall.

A real danger today

It is unfortunate that many people have lost thousands, even millions of dollars, through fake promises and scams. Even those who are well-educated and financially savvy have been duped of their funds. These wicked people seek to obtain wealth through illegitimate ways. This is but one of many evil ways that sinners can entice us.

They could also entice us to seek more material possessions by encouraging us to go with them, “Come with us” (Proverbs 1:11). They could influence us to covet more and be greedier for gain in life in order to have a “higher” lifestyle and status (Proverbs 1:19). We may end up filling our house with precious possessions that we covet (Proverbs1:13). Such wicked people pose a real and present danger to all.

Good and wise advice

Solomon provided good advice concerning such sinful people, bad friendships and wrong influences.

1. Do not consent (Proverbs 1:10)

  1. The best approach is to have the wisdom to say, “No!”
  2. We should not fall into the enticement of these sinners and their worldly ways.
  3. The challenge is to have the discernment and strength not to consent but to reject such bad friendships and lifestyles.

2. Do not walk in their way (Proverbs 1:15)

  1. Another good piece of advice concerns how we should walk in this world.
  2. These sinners walk according to worldly materialism, greed and evil.
  3. Our challenge is to avoid walking in their ways.
  4. It is to keep our foot from their wicked path (Proverbs 1:15).
  5. Let us have the discernment to walk in a good, wise and upright way.

A man who is richly blessed

Who is the man who is truly blessed? Is it all about having material wealth even though there is nothing wrong with having such physical things? The Psalmist provides for us the right approach to being truly richly blessed, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalm 1:1) These are the things that we should not do.

But what should we do? The author adds, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2) The challenge is for us to focus on knowing, delighting and meditating on the Lord’s Word. There would come long-term blessings, just like a tree bearing fruits each season (Psalm 1:3). We would thrive and prosper in God’s blessings. The worth of His blessings far outweighs the material value of the things of the world.

Let us be challenged to be wise and not enticed by the sinners of the world, but seek the Lord’s rich blessings through knowing Him and His Word.

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