Immediately after ending the introduction, the very first piece of advice Solomon has for his son regards the people we let into our lives. We should never ignore the influence of those our children hang around (or those we hang around for that matter). Peer pressure is one of the most powerful influences in the life of a child, second only to their parents. As adults, this influence weakens, but is still quite present. If we want to live wisely, we must be careful who we let influence us.
Proverbs 1:10-14—“My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. If they say, ‘Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder. You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse’” (WEB).
We have to realize there are those out there who will seek to entice us to sin and those who will seek to entice our children to sin. It is important the we impress upon our children the need to do what is right and follow God regardless of what others are doing around them. Of course, we must set this example ourselves. We can live righteously even surrounded by wickedness (cf. 2 Peter 2:7-9).
Even better though, is to avoid those who will entice us all together. Sometimes we continue to hang around individuals we know are not good influences. We often use the excuse that we are being a good influence on them. This rarely happens. Usually it is the other way around. Remember, it is easier to make something unclean than it is to purify it (cf. Haggai 2:10-14). It is far more likely that they will cause us to drift away from God than it is for us to bring them closer to God. Remember: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NASB95).
Proverbs 1:15-19—“My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path, for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird; but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners” (WEB).
We’ve seen other people get into snares, but we often think: “That will never happen to me.” In our arrogance, we think it is only stupid people who are so foolish.
When we set our sights on something we want, however, everything else can fade away (including the consequences). Intelligent and successful businessmen have thrown away their careers and families to have an affair. Trying to own the car of their dreams, many put their budgets into distress having to choose between making the large payment, paying utilities, or buying food.
Many people are destroying themselves and they don’t even know it. We must take a step back from our desires and goals and think about the consequences. What is this really going to bring into my life?
The key is don’t walk on the path with them. If someone is heading towards foolishness and sin, don’t accompany them.
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 