Reading: Proverbs 1: 8-19

Theme: Concerning bad company

Refuse the way of sin (Verses 8-11)

Scripture is clear, “Evil company corrupts good habits” 1 Corinthians 15:33. The company we keep will affect our behaviour, attitude, and lifestyle. In our reading the writer tells us that sinners will entice us. The literal translation means to, “open the way.” An example of this enticement is Joseph when he was tested in Genesis 39 to sin with Potiphar’s wife. When enticed by sin we ought to adopt the same attitude as Joseph. He fled from the enticement. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” The Book of Proverbs describes the world according to its true nature. God warns us that sin is often appears attractive and pleasurable. Sin is like the bate of a hook. The bate is presented as something to be desired, but hides the hook.

The enticement of sinners (Verses 12-14)

James 1:14 says, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” Sin is a temptation because it targets our desires and weaknesses. If we do not have a desire for something then sin would not be a temptation. For example, as fallen mankind we have a desire to be liked and loved by people. So, the desire to present the best version of ourselves and to hide our faults is a real temptation. In the example found in Genesis 39 Potiphar’s wife used sexual desire to cause Joseph to sin with her.

The word, “Shoel” is mentioned in this passage. This is a Hebrew word which means, “the place of the dead.” The end goal of the devil is to shallow us up and to destroy our faith, testimony, and witness in the world. He does this in many different ways, one is by the company of sinful people. To accompany sinful people is to associate with their behaviour.

The Result of Bad Company (Verses 15-19)

This brings us on to the final point in the study. Ephesians 5:11 says, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.” The unwise consider the short term benefits of sin and fail to recognise the long-term consequences. The passage illustrates the foolishness of such thinking. Even a bird knows to not step into an obvious trap. The ungodly do not have the foresight shown by the bird. There have been many people who dabbled in sin and ended up being controlled by sin. The man who gambles occasionally is in danger of becoming a gambling addict. The man who dabbles in street drugs is in danger of becoming a drug addict. The message of the Book of Proverbs in this portion is that sin is like a snowball. At first it seems small and not important, but soon sin becomes a major issue as your very life is in danger.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20