Proverbs 1:10: Taking No Chances
Proverbs 1:10: “My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.” [1]
Proverbs is a book of God’s guidance for His people, [2] which provides general rules on how to navigate life. [3] In Proverbs 1:10-19, Solomon encourages believers to avoid engaging in sinners’ destructive actions. [4] “Sinners” refers to people who live outside Scripture’s standards. [5]
Here is the problem: none of us have kept the Bible’s requirements. [6] Our only solution: Jesus Christ. [7] If you do not follow Christ, do not trust your efforts to live well because your efforts have no chance. [8] Give yourself to Christ by admitting your sin, and trust Him solely. Only then will you be saved. [9] If you claim to follow Christ, live in His ways- not the world’s. [10] Proverbs 1:10 instructs us to not even give approval to sinners’ destructive plans. [11] We are called to take no chances with sin, because sin destroys. [12] In avoiding sin, we will face the world’s ridicule. [13] But remaining in Christ by His Holy Spirit is to remain in truth and salvation. [14] Salvation is in Christ because He has lived the perfect life we cannot. [15] At the same time, His Holy Spirit does enable our righteous living. [16]
This blog was written by Seth Dunn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Logos Bible Software 6. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.
[2] Bruce K. Waltke. The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004), 174.
[3] Iain Duguid. “Wisdom Literature” (Lecture: Westminster Theological Seminar, Glenside, PA, March 28, 2017). See also Proverbs 1:7, and Waltke, Proverbs, 174.
[4] Waltke, Proverbs, 188. Also, Proverbs 1:8-19 and Andrew Styer “The Violence of Foolishness.” ProclamationPca.com. Accessed July 3, 2018. http://proclamationpca.com/proverbs-the-wisdom-of-god/.
[5] Waltke, Proverbs, 189.
[6] Romans 3:10-23, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-10.
[7] Matthew 5:17-20; John 14:6, Galatians 2:11-5:7; 1 John 3:5-8.
[8] Romans 3:28, 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-10.
[9] Acts 4:12.
[10] Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:1-3:24.
[11] Waltke, Proverbs, 190.
[12] Genesis 3; Psalm 141:10; Proverbs 3:35, 5:22, 12:12-13, 13:5-6, 29:6; Isaiah 57:21; Romans 5:12-21, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 4:17-19.
[13] John 15:18; 1 John 3:15.
[14] Matthew 10:22; John 8:31-32, 14:6.
[15] Luke 24:44-49; Galatians 5:16-25.
[16] Romans 8:11-13.