He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Benefits Of Possessing Wisdom - (3) Safety
From Evil Influences: Prov 2:16-19
16) To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;
17) Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and
forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18) For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths
unto the dead.
19) None that go unto her return again, neither take
they hold of the paths of life.
INTRODUCTION:
Our look at wisdom’s
protection against the evil influences of the world continues by looking at
another type of temptation that God’s people face…
EXPOSITION:
16) To deliver thee from the strange woman,
What
is an example of an evil, worldly, influence that opposes the cause of Christ? Those who are foreigners to God’s kingdom and
estranged from His family. The evil
teachings and influences of the world are pictured here as a woman,
symbolically describing the seductive nature of the influences of this
world. Wisdom will “snatch us away” from
the attractive messages of this fallen world.
“The righteous [is] more
excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.” (Proverbs 12:26)
Note:
Proverbs DOES NOT picture women in a derogatory way. A woman is used as a picture of wisdom as
well, pointing to her usefulness and desirability for men. (Prov 7:4-5 etc).
Whenever a woman is mentioned in Proverbs it is not in any way to defame or
discredit women… the symbolism is always used in the context of the man/woman
relationship and is a reflection on the nature and characteristics of the man
as much as the woman.
The
characteristics of those who are separated from God and His people are…
[even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;
1. using smooth, appropriate words to entice.
Worldly
influences tell people what they want to hear.
“For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:18)
17) Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant
of her God.
2.
walking away from their governors who
raised and taught her when young.
3. is insensible to the responsibilities given
to her by God.
Sinful
guidance leads others to leave behind the Godly influences that touch their
lives.
“Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and
see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as
the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy
whoredoms and with thy wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no
latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. Wilt thou not from this
time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?” (Jeremiah 3:2-4)
18) For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
4. those personally acquainted with her have
submitted themselves to ruin.
5. they follow the way of those who have
suffered physical and eternal spiritual
death.
Following
the ways of the world will only lead to harm and death.
“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye
were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in
those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is]
death. But now being made free
from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the
end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:20-22)
19) None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the
paths of life.
6. the effects of following the ways of the
world can never be entirely undone.
7. the guidance of the world will never lead a
person to the things of God.
Following evil influences
of the world has permanent affects and will never lead its followers to the
truth.
“But my people would not hearken to my voice;
and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto
their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had
hearkened unto me, [and] Israel had walked in my ways!” (Psalms 81:11-13)
SUMMARY:
May
we always be aware of the seductive nature of evil influences of the fallen
world and its grave results on our lives.
All the more reason to seek God’s wisdom, retain it, and apply it.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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