My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10 (NASB1995)
Today’s scripture verse awakens memories of my childhood in our mining village. I remember my mum’s interest in who I had been playing with in the streets or the park each day, and the times she didn’t approve of certain folk. She knew them and their parents, our village was a close community – everyone knew everyone. I didn’t always agree or obey Mum’s guidance, but it often came back with bad results, and I had to admit Mum was right. Indeed, my mum was a Godly woman who knew her Lord and the ways of a sinful world.
“The first great danger which besets the simple and the young is that of evil companionship.” Albert Barnes.
I remember times when some folk would “entice” me into some behavior that was not fitting for a young Christian; they spoke flatteringly and/or in a challenging way. The word “entice” confirms this, meaning to delude, deceive, or flatter someone. It can be likened to the phrase “pulling the wool over their eyes.” Matthew Henry said that “sinners love company in sin; the angels that fell were tempters almost as soon as they were sinners.”
Dear Reader, avoiding evil company is important; the fact that both Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1 warn against such bad company is significant and worthy of meditation. Be aware of those you meet each day, and their motives. Surrender them to prayer and be guided by your Heavenly Father’s Spirit in how you respond to any invitations.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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