Proverbs 4-9

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%204-9&version=NIV

Life is about choices. Everyday, we are faced with hundreds of them – what to wear, what to eat, what to do, what to say, how to live. Our place in life is for the most part a result of our choices. We make choices constantly about how to handle the circumstances of our lives. Our society might try to place the blame on the temptress in Proverbs 7. He couldn’t help himself, some might argue; the temptation was too great. But the fact of the matter is, the foolish youth in proverbs 7 made many bad choices that led to his fall.

Bad choice # 1 – He did not purposefully and intentionally resolve to stay away from sin. Instead, he allowed himself to walk right up to it. He got so close to sin that she could whisper in his ear. So close that he could smell her sweet scent. So close that she took hold of him and kissed him. He never should have allowed himself to be in that close proximity to sin under the cover of darkness. He was standing to close to the edge of the cliff that the slightest loss of balance would cause him to fall.

Bad choice # 2 – He allowed himself to be surrounded by fools. No one was with him to hold him accountable. No one was there to whisper a word of caution. No one was there to talk some sense into him. There was no safety net to catch him as he slipped off that cliff. Godly friends are so important in our daily walk. Everybody needs a support group of godly friends who are unafraid to call you out when necessary.

Bad choice # 3 – He didn’t stop to consider the consequences of his actions. All at once he followed her. He didn’t pause to think about how his choice could affect himself and his loved ones. He didn’t hesitate to consider how his actions could affect the woman or her family. He made the choice to follow her impulsively, without hesitation.

Bad choice # 4 – He ignored the obvious. There were plenty of red flags – she was dressed as a prostitute, she was brazen, she was loud and defiant, she was aggressive and scandalous and seductive. She may as well have been wearing a caution sign that said “Run from me”. But the youthful fool chose to ignore these red flags.

The lesson here is not just about bad choices that lead to sexual impurity. We all have different sins that we struggle with, but when we arm ourselves with good choices, the battle is much more easily won. Avoiding temptations, surrounding ourselves with godly friends, considering the consequences and paying attention to the caution signs are four of the many ways to battle temptation. Feel free to share safeguards that you have armed yourself with in your battles with temptation.