Sin Will Destroy You

Dear Brethren,

Solomon asked the question, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?"  (Proverbs 6:27)  Why is it that people think they can beat the odds?  No one can sin with impunity - it will catch up with the sinner. God, in His love for us, has given us a set of instructions with no down side to them.  His spiritual standards promote us, rather than pull us down.  In this section of Proverbs, Solomon is warning his children about the results of illicit and adulterous relationships.  Today we say that if you play with fire, you will get burned.

Our children are to be taught right examples so that they can make God's way a fundamental part of their lives.  "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother."  (Proverbs 6:20)  God intends that children have two good role models.  We can learn two different ways: the school of hard knocks - with terrible consequences, or we can learn by hearing and believing right instruction.  God says for us to choose the latter.  The Bible has examples that will lead us in God's way no matter what choices life throws our way.  "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life."  (Proverbs 6:23)

Solomon is teaching his children Godly principles that will serve them well throughout their lives.  Making the truth of God a part of our children's lives when they are young will help to stave off future wrong relationships.  "When thou goest, it [God's commandments] shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."  (Proverbs 6:22)  Our young people will need to be able to distinguish between the right crowd and the wrong crowd - who to associate with, and who will get them into bad trouble.

Today, in only one generation, God's institution of marriage has become archaic and antiquated for three-fourths of our population.  This has occurred mainly because of the blatant promiscuity since World War II.  "He that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.  But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul."  (Proverbs 6:29; 6:32)  Solomon warned his children, and God warns us to avoid illicit relationships.  If we fail to heed this instruction, destruction and ruin will surely be the result.

In the same way that violations of the seventh commandment are a major cause of divorce, they are also the root cause of much violence and murder - often by a vengeful mate.  In a way, you might say that the injuries are self-inflicted because the sinner brought them on himself.  His reputation is ruined for the rest of his life. "A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.  For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.  He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts."  (Proverbs 6:33-35)  When a wronged mate is set on revenge, he cannot be bought off.

The Proverbs were not written only for Solomon's children.  Yes, his children are being warned about the dangers of adultery, but we, the people of God are being warned about an even more serious threat - that of spiritual adultery.  There are many seductive and enticing lures for drawing Christians away from a right relationship with God.  When that covenant is breached, the destruction of the sin is unreservedly devastating.  Accept no substitutes for a pure covenant relationship with our Maker.  "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"  (Micah 6:8)

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Sermon:

"Sin Will Destroy You"