The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
--Proverbs 10:1
I would not press the matter, but the first nine chapters of Proverbs may simply be a lengthy introduction. It is as if Solomon was careful to prepare the mind of his son so that he could listen to wisdom. And how does he prepare him?
If I had to summarize the first nine chapters of Proverbs into one statement…
If I had to summarize the first nine chapters of Proverbs into one statement…
Chase after the knowledge and discernment of the Lord;do not chase after women.
Just prior to chapter ten, wisdom is personified as a desirable woman offering wisdom, discretion, and life. In stark contrast is the ‘strange’ woman (adulteress) who is ultimately portrayed as naïve. She doesn’t even realize that she seduces men to their deaths.
How many young men have set their eyes on a good and lofty goal in life; high thoughts of service, generosity, and devotion to God, perhaps even entering into the ministry? But things changed. It was not shifting interests or the demands of career; rather it was the momentary distraction of the sexual lure of a woman.
How many young men have set their eyes on a good and lofty goal in life; high thoughts of service, generosity, and devotion to God, perhaps even entering into the ministry? But things changed. It was not shifting interests or the demands of career; rather it was the momentary distraction of the sexual lure of a woman.
Foolish!
Even if he is careful/clever enough to escape public notice, the guilt changes him. Lofty goals are smashed.
Changed forever!
It is not that God’s forgiveness cannot heal. But the power of sin and the psychological entanglement are great and all too often defeating.
There is no ‘undo.’
Watch his parents...
Filled with high hopes, his father’s heart is deeply saddened; his mother weeps. There are many ways to act foolishly, but sexual sin is among the most devastating.
Young men! Sexual purity is of greatest importance. Purity of the spirit is the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge and discernment. You will NEVER regret the sin you did not commit!
How many young men have fallen prey to the lure of a girlfriend, the power of pornography, the seduction of another man’s wife? For a moment of sexual pleasure, a life is changed!
Changed forever!!!
Even if he is careful/clever enough to escape public notice, the guilt changes him. Lofty goals are smashed.
Changed forever!
It is not that God’s forgiveness cannot heal. But the power of sin and the psychological entanglement are great and all too often defeating.
There is no ‘undo.’
Watch his parents...
Filled with high hopes, his father’s heart is deeply saddened; his mother weeps. There are many ways to act foolishly, but sexual sin is among the most devastating.
Young men! Sexual purity is of greatest importance. Purity of the spirit is the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge and discernment. You will NEVER regret the sin you did not commit!
How many young men have fallen prey to the lure of a girlfriend, the power of pornography, the seduction of another man’s wife? For a moment of sexual pleasure, a life is changed!
Changed forever!!!
The ‘first’ proverb...
A wise son makes a father glad,But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
Chase wisely!
Mark Stinnett
(Edited and reposted from 4/24/2016)
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