Prayer

Reading: Prov 1:10-19.

Meditation.

The world is on the road to destruction, they are plunging after sin headlong: “their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.” The attraction of sin spurs them on and, as we’ve seen in our proverbs episodes, it is attractive. There is even a temporary sinful pleasure that comes with it, but the bottom is simply this: sin brings death. For those who follow after the enticements of sin there is simply no other outcome, as verses 17-19 clearly say. Let me then lay before you three considerations of the destruction of sin revealed in our passage.

Firstly, we see that sin desires evil: “their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.” For those who have no space for Christ, they are on that broad way to destruction (Mt 7:13). There is an eagerness in the heart of sinners to pursue evil. As Christians, we would do well to pause and meditate on this: any desire that we have that is not drawing us closer to Christ is evil and destructive. Consider that, and we ought to hold back our feet from such paths. Sin desires evil, and evil leads to destruction.

Secondly, sin also brings misery. Sin is like a giant leech that would suck the very life out of you. “Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors” (Pr 1:19). Consider this the next time you’re engaged actively in sin. Whether you’re giving in to lust, giving in to anger, pursuing selfishness, idolising material possessions, or indulging in laziness – these practices are like vampires that would suck the life right out of us. When we engage in sin, that’s what’s happening – our life is being taken away from us. There is no gain to be found in it, it brings misery and death. Thus: “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it” (Pr 27:12).

Sin desires evil and brings misery, and – finally – sin brings death. That’s the bottom line. That’s how it was even from the beginning, as God told Adam concerning the forbidden fruit that on the day he would eat of it, he would die. Sin is blind to this truth. “For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.” Godless people don’t even see their danger. They don’t understand that as they pursue their sin, they are committing suicide. Psalm 9:15 says: “The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.” So also in Proverbs 5:22 we read: “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.” Evil never pays off, it always brings death, and neither you nor I will be the exception to the rule. If we follow after it, it will bring misery and death to us. Proverbs 11:19 says: “Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.”

Be ye doers of the word…

Sin promises much: power, prestige, security, but it delivers suffering and death. This is why we must constantly draw near to the cross of Christ. As we come bloodied and bleeding from our sin, our life is literally ebbing away. We must come to the fountain of Christ’s side. We must eat of his flesh and drink of his blood, as it were, that our souls may be revived. This is how our spirit is renewed, and how our peace with God is established. This is the only way that the life-draining effects of our sin can be reversed. In Christ our strength is found, and so we must cling to him. We must keep short accounts with him, laying our sin there at the cross. When you do that, instead of having your life drained away, you will find your life renewed in Christ.

Follow hard after Jesus Christ. Follow like your life depends on it, because it does. Keep your eyes on him like a man who will drown if he looks at the waves – because you will drown. You will sink if you take your eyes off Christ. Proverbs 24:1 says “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. Set your eyes on Christ, keep your eyes on Christ. There is no other way to be saved, and there is no other hope on earth.

What’s been distracting you lately? What is it in your life that’s been drawing you away from Christ? That thing, whatever it is, will kill you. Hold back your feet from the paths of sin. If sinners entice you, do not consent. Instead, open the door of your heart wide to Christ. Invite him in, let his word abide in you, and your soul will be furnished with rich food. You will be satisfied, and you will be delivered from this present evil age. SDG.

Prayer of Confession & Consecration.

Righteous Father, we confess that we have listened to the promises of sin, envied evil, and allowed our feet to wander down the destructive paths of sin. We have believed the lie that sin brings gain, while it has only brought misery, weakness, and distance from you. Please have mercy on us, draw us again to the fountain opened at the side of the Lord Jesus, and wash us clean from our sin. Consecrate us to follow hard after you, to keep our eyes fixed on our Saviour, and to walk steadfast in righteousness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Ep 146: Flee from sin's destruction (Prov 1:16-19).