You can choose the sin, but you can’t choose the consequences.

Our sin is the cause; death is the consequence. You might say that you got away with it; however, something died. You are killing your health, your relationships, your family, your career, your reputation, God’s Name, etc. If you continue in the sin, God will make the consequences more severe.

In the above verses Solomon has especially been warning men to stay away from sexual sins. But for our lesson tonight let this strange woman be a metaphor for your addiction or besetting sin. God wants us to think about it. We need to weigh it in the balances. We must consider in what direction we are travelling. We are wandering and going astray after that which destroys everything it touches. When we embrace something, our heart is involved. God wants us to think about our actions. Why will you go after that which will destroy you? Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

Psalm 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

God sees everything we do. God is all-knowing and everywhere present. We cannot hide from God. Ask Adam and Eve. Ask David. Ask Judas. Ask Demas.

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Proverbs 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

We must beware lest sin’s distractions and lusts keep us from thinking straight. It is so easy for us to figure out how to hide our sin. We figure out a way to get away with it. We can be so creative to do wrong. If we do worry about the consequences, we try to figure out how they can be mitigated. We think of ways to excuse or lessen the trouble we would be in. Sometimes in advance we think of who we can blame for it. Or maybe we have initiated an argument with someone so we can justify drinking or using. Jeremiah warns us of those who are wise to do evil:

Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

What Jeremiah is saying is that when we think we are wise to do the wrong, we are thinking like an immature drunk. We are ignorant. We are foolish.

God is pondering the path of your feet. As we walk away from God to do something stupid, what is God pondering?

o  Your rebellious attitude?

o  How is your sin affecting His Name?

o  What kind of discipline you need?

o  How harsh the discipline should be?

o  How to keep you on the right path?

Hebrews 12:9-13 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

 H.O.P.E. - Helping Others Put-off Entanglements

The above was Ron's lesson taught to the HOPE class Friday, October 29, 2021.

You are welcome to visit our class. We meet every Friday evening at 7:00 PM.