Truth Magazine

By Tommy L. McClure

(Note: To get the most from this study, the reader should first read the entire 7th chapter of Proverbs, TLM).

Introduction

Much regard is shown for young people in the Bible. The children of the rebellious Israelites were allowed to enter Canaan, whereas their fathers were condemned to die in the wilderness (Deut. 1:35-40). Jesus, very busy throughout his personal ministry, was not too busy to be concerned about children (Mk. 10:13-16).

Many instructions are given in the word of God with children’s benefit in view. They are taught to honor their parents, “the first commandment with promise”; the promise was and is “that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:1-3; cf. Exod. 20:12). Fathers are not to provoke them to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Paul was not unmindful of the welfare of children in giving instructions to Titus concerning the duties of aged women who were to “teach the young women . . . to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home” (Tit. 2:3,4).

Special regard for many people is shown in Proverbs. Solomon wrote with the “young man” in mind (1:1-4); the vocative, “my son,” heads many of his instructions (1:8,10,15; 2;1-5; 3:1,11,21; 4:10; 5:1; 6:1,20).

In chapter 7, Solomon exhorts to govern the mind by the word of God as the antidote against fornication (vv. 1-5), tells the story of a young man being snared by an adulterous woman (w. 6-23), and makes application of the story, showing the importance of taking good counsel and fair warning (vv. 24-27).

The lessons in this study will deal primarily with the facts set forth in the story (vv. 6-23).

The Person Being Tempted

1. The person tempted is a “young man ” (v. 7). Thus, he was at an age when this temptation is unusually strong (cf. 2 Tim. 2:22); he was without wisdom necessary to fully discern the evil intended and involved; and was without sufficient courage and know how to resist the flatteries of his seducer.

Youth is a crucial age when minds and bodies are storehouses of energy which will be expended – either for God and righteousness, resulting in salvation; or the devil and sin, resulting in damnation. Both God and Satan make powerful bids for youth! God says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1); he tells youth how to cleanse its ways (Psa. 119:9); instructs parents to train up the child in the way he should go (Prov. 22:6); makes clear how that it is to be done by the words “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4); and, shows the importance of setting the proper example before them (2 Tim. 1:5). The devil, on the other hand, knows that poisoning the minds of youth is his most effective weapon, and strives to reach that goal by Nazism, Communism, Catholicism, atheism, infidelity, agnosticism, evolution, liberalism, humanism and thousands of other damning devices.

2. The person tempted was “a young man void of understanding” (v. 7). Not properly principled with wisdom and the fear of God, he ventured to sea without chart and compass. No wonder the importance of understanding is so of, en repeated by Solomon! He teaches that it keeps one from evil (2:11,12; cf. Job 28:28); that getting it brings happiness (3:13); that obtaining it is more important than the getting of silver and obtaining wisdom is better than gold (16:16); that it is a wellspring of life to him who has it (16:22); and, that it should be a permanent acquisition (23:23). Truly, one void of understanding is on dangerous ground – “the man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead” (21:16).

Assuredly, someone was to blame for the young man’s condition! Possibly, his parents did not teach him the words of the Lord, contrary to the command of Moses (Deut. 6:6,7). Or, the young man himself may have been stubborn and rebellious, comparable to the one Moses described (Deut. 21:18-21), or to the one described by Solomon himself (Prov. 15:5). The cause of the young man’s “void” is not revealed and we may never know. But, we should ask ourselves, “If my son starts the voyage of life void of understanding, will it be because of me or in spite of me?” For our own good, we had better make sure it is not the former, for his good, we should try hard to prevent it being either!

3. The person tempted was in the wrong company “among the simple ones” and “among the youths” (v. 7). Had he been with wiser and older people, the sin might not have taken place.

Bad company is indeed dangerous! “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Provl. 13:20). “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33, ASV). The painful regret of many, so dominated by Satan that they “cannot cease from sin” (2 Pet. 2:14), is, “I got in with the wrong crowd.” Young man, don’t say, “It won’t happen to me!” It has happened to countless thousands who said the same – but, it happened! Look at a few Bible examples of people who became tainted with the evil influence of their associates: (a) Lot, seemingly oblivious to the evil environment he and his family were entering and looking only at the prospects for great wealth, “pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly” (Gen. 13:12,13). That Lot was affected, in some degree, by this evil environment is obvious (Gen. 19:4-9); so were his daughters who conceived seed in incest and gave birth to the evil and feared Moabites and Ammonites (w. 30-38). (b) Israel wanted a king so she could be like the nations round about (I Sam. 8), and became almost, if not fully, as sinful as they were. (c) Solomon, in his later years, allowed his idolatrous wives whom he had married contrary to the will of God to turn away his heart from following the Lord (1 Kgs. 11: 1- 13). Since these were adversely affected by evil company, how do you know you won’t be? You don’t! Remember that Peter was very sure of himself, too (Matt. 26:33-35), only to find out later that he was grossly mistaken (vv. 69-75).

Young and old people need each other, contrary to the thinking of some. It is good to respect age differences, but we can become too regimented. This extreme regimentation has produced “youth churches,” “youth worship services,” “youth rallies,” and the like, in which older people are looked upon as intruders if they merely attend. When old and young associate together, the old can be a source of wisdom and maturity to the young, and the young a source of freshness and energy to the old. Those who are so overly concerned about regimentation need to consider the example of Jesus: “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions” (Lk. 2:46). Jesus, then only twelve years old, did not consider those old men, doctors of the law, a bunch of outdated mossbacks, eggheads, ignoramuses and old foggies – he heard them and asked them questions! Nor did they brush him aside as a little egotistical up-start or a young “Johnny-come-lately” – they were astonished at his understanding and answers (v. 47)! The modern “generation gap” may have been produced by humanism or some other false system bearing the “ain’t so” label (“ism”), but not by the word of God (see Mal. 4:5,6; Lk. 1:17).

4. The victim of the temptation was sauntering “passing through the street” (v. 8). Like many young people now, he was idle, aimless and wandering; I call it ‘.’pressing concrete” for want of a better term. Had he been going with purpose and with a look of determination, the evil woman might have paid him no attention.

Idleness is a great curse, especially to young people. They have boundless energy which will be expended, if they are idle toward good, they will soon be active in evil, Satan will make sure the vacuum is filled. The old adage “an idle brain is the devil’s workshop” is still true, and doubly so of young because they lack age, experience and wisdom. Trouble is sure to come when a young man has nothing better to do than grow bangs, a beard, wear outlandish clothing and pound a drum, and when a young girl has only to keep up on sexy styles and dances. Idleness was one of the sins of filthy Sodom (Ezek. 16:49) upon which the Lord rained brimstone and fire from heaven (Gen. 19:24,25). Get the point? If he rejected it then, he does not favor it now (see Mal. 3:6).

5. He steered his course in the wrong direction – “he went the way to her house” (v. 8). He may have heard something about the women and been curious. If so, he was flirting with temptation contrary to Solomon’s instruction already given (5:8): “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house.” Many flut with temptation now by participating in dancing, social drinking, mixed bathing, scanty dress, petting and watching X-rated movies. Paul’s instruction is: “Abstain from every appearance (“form,” ASV) of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). “Abstain” does not mean “flirt with” nor “sample.” If the youngster was ignorant of the woman, which is not likely, still he was in a place where he had no business. The devil quickly finds “business” for such (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8). Places in which young people (and old) have no business include taverns, dance halls, gambling casinos, topless joints, and such like.

6. He was a “night owl” – “he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness” (vv. 8,9 ASV).

The four terms – “twilight,” “evening,” “middle of the night,” and “darkness” – indicate repeated trips and that he was ambling around in the woman’s neighborhood most of the night. A young man now who saunters around in a “red light” district most of the night is up to no good and headed for trouble!

Like Eli who restrained not his sons (1 Sam. 3:11-13), his parents may have been at fault because they had not administered proper restraint. Many parents now act as though what their children do is none of their business; they never inquire as to where they go, what they do, with whom they associate, nor when they return home; they regard curfew enforcement as infringement on the civil liberties of their “little darlings”; and, they think their children are above wrong-doing – much like the proverbial mother who, having watched her son march in boot camp, later observed, “Every body on the field was out of step except my Johnny!”

This youngster, like many of the young set now, likely considered day life dull, drab and boring, so decided to experience night life. If he followed the course pursued by many in our generation, he slept most of the day while his parents did all the work, and at sundown was as fresh as a daisy in the morning dew, ready to play the role of a two-legged nocturnal animal. In the darkest part of the night it seems, the evil woman met him (vv. 9, 10). The episode reminds us of Job’s words: “The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face” (Job 24:15); also of the words of Jesus. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither corneth to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (Jn. 3:19-21).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 10, pp. 294-295, 310
May 18, 1989

By Andy Alexander

The common thread which runs throughout all mankind is suffering. All of us at times in our lives will experience some form of suffering. It may be the loss of a loved one, the illness of a family member, or some injury or illness to our own body, but at one or usually more times in our life we will all experience pain and suffering. At these times in our life we should we drawn closer to God, realizing that he can supply the strength which we need to continue in this life. However, many times in our depressed state, we turn from the one true Source of strength and courage and fall into the hands of the crafty individual who is the real cause of our problems. Satan will use these times in our lives, when we are the most vulnerable, to try to turn our hearts from God.

The case of Job is an example of how Satan will use these tragedies in our lives. Not only was he the one who caused the evil to come upon Job, but during the whole ordeal he used Job’s wife and friends to try to convince him that God was the source of his pain and suffering (Job 2:9). Satan will attack us in similar ways using our friends and relatives at times in an effort to shake our confidence in God. Anyone who would kick somebody when he is down is a despicable character. There is no depth to which he won’t stoop in order to lure some unsuspecting soul from God (Eph. 6:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:8-10).

The apostle Paul understood who was behind his suffering. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, he informs us that the thorn in his flesh was a “messenger of Satan.” He also knew that when he was hindered from returning to Thessalonica, the ultimate cause of the hindrance was Satan (1 Thess. 2:18). Satan, not God, is the source of our suffering.

Those of us who are followers of God and put our hope and trust in God are not promised a life free from pain and sorrow. But, we do have someone to turn to in those times and someone who knows our problems and can help (Heb. 4:15-16). The faithful Christian can go to God in prayer and be confident that God will answer his prayer (I Jn. 3:22; 5:14-15). But, we must be willing to accept the answer God gives us. It may not be God’s will to heal us, but our attitude should be that whatever the will of God is, we will remain faithful.

An excellent illustration of his principle can be seen in the lives of three Jewish captives. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the idol erected in Babylon and, when threatened with death in a burning fiery furnace, they answered, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us” (Dan. 3:17). Now, they did not know if it was God’s will to deliver them, but they believed that he could do it. Their next statement in verse 18 is an example of what our attitude should be like when we are facing trials in our lives. “But if not, be it known unto thee, 0 king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Let us never succumb to the temptation to blame God for our problems. Our attitude needs to be that we are going to serve God faithfully, no matter what trials or tribulations we are asked to bear in this life.

The blessing of prayer belongs to those who are following Christ and doing his will (1 Jn. 3:22). If you are outside of Christ and you want to have all the blessings that belong to those who are in Christ including prayer, the Lord stands ready at all times to receive you (Matt. 1:28). The alien sinner must believe in Jesus as the Son of God, confess Jesus before men, repent of his sins, and be baptized, for the remission of those sins. Then the Lord will add him to his body (Jn. 3:16; Matt. 10:32; Acts 2:38). Many people will balk at baptism, but baptism washes away the sins of a penitent believer and puts him into Christ (Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27). All spiritual blessings are in Christ and baptism is the means chosen by God to put one into Christ (Eph. 1:3; 1 Cor. 12:13). If we reject baptism, were rejecting a command of God (Acts 10:48).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, p. 271
May 4, 1989

By Greg Gwin

It happened again just the other day. Someone called me a “Pharisee.” This religious name calling is the equivalent of being branded a Communist in politics, or a bigot in social matters. It is meant to draw instant negative response. The very notion of the Pharisees, based upon what we learn of them in the Scriptures, calls to mind things that we all despise. My immediate reaction is to deny the charge! Surely, I don’t want to be like the Pharisees.

Do you know why I was so accused? It was during a time of private Bible study with a “liberal” brother. I was stressing the importance of Bible authority. I was condemning any practice that could not be justified by a “thus saith the Lord.” I was demanding book, chapter, and verse for all that we do in service to God. And then he let me have it. Without any answer to my challenges, he hit me with that despicable title, “Pharisee.” I’m sure he expected me to surrender my position. After all, no one wants to be like the Pharisees.

But wait! What was wrong with the Pharisees anyway? They certainly received Jesus’ strongest condemnations, but why? Why would Jesus, in one brief address, call them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “fools,” “whited sepulchers,” and “serpents” (Matt. 23:1-33)? Why did they deserve all of this?

The same text (Matt. 23) gives us the answer. They would not do what they taught others to do (vv. 3,4). They did their religious works “to be seen of men” (vv. 5-7). They embezzled widow’s money (v. 14). They blatantly violated their oaths (vv. 16-22). They were merciless (v. 23). They gave the appearance of being devout, but their hearts were “full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (vv. 25-28).

Obviously, there was a lot wrong with the Pharisees. But, unless I am mistaken, the man who accused me of being like them had none of these things in mind. His complaint was that I, like the Pharisees, demanded strict, exact, and careful adherence to the things taught in God’s word. Is this wrong? Am I wrong? Were the Pharisees wrong in this regard.

We have noted that the Pharisees truly had their problems. And, additionally, we realize that they had erred in binding some of their own traditions, making them even more important than God’s commands (Matt. 15:1-9). But what about their insistence on a careful observance of the law was that wrong? Did Jesus rebuke them for stressing (at least in their teaching, if not in their practice) that the commands of God must be meticulously obeyed? No! In fact, Jesus said of them, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do” (Matt. 23:2,3). And concerning their punctilious practice of tithing even their garden herbs, Jesus said, “These ought ye to have done” (Matt. 23:23).

So then, are we wrong when we demand Bible authority for all we do? Have we “missed the boat” in calling for “book, chapter, and verse”? The answer is “no!” And that’s one place where the Pharisees weren’t wrong either!

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, p. 269
May 4, 1989

By Sterling Collier

Every parent is aware of the reality that it is not an easy task to raise children. For the mother or father who says it is easy is letting someone else raise his children. Many words can be used to describe the time spent in his God-given responsibility – tender, frustrating, rewarding, perplexing, impossible, tearful and a variety of other words. We have times when we realize that soon they will be on their own and we have but little time left with them. There are other times when we don’t know if we will survive all those years till they are on their own.

In our busy world with all. of its demands upon our time we are hearing of spending “quality” time in certain ;~~. This means that we should make the most of the hours spent in our various pursuits. We should not waste time and opportunity on meaningless endeavors. But this necessitates that we have our priorities in place and not waste time on trivial matters and leave undone the important things. If you find yourself not having the time you would like to spend with your children and are concerned about using it wisely, may we suggest a few thoughts for your consideration.

Study God’s word with them. Without a doubt, this is the most important matter that can be taught to children, Many things they learn, they win outgrow. Some things they learn they may never use. Some things they are taught act as springboards to higher learning. But an education in the Bible is going to stay with them forever. It prepares them for this life, physical death and heaven. Could you possibly leave your children with a greater possession?

“And fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Children have been given into the hands of parents to shape and form their minds and lives. The training that is most profitable to all children is based on what God desires all people to live by: his word. It gives them a true evaluation of this life, establishes their priorities and prepares them to meet God in the judgment.

Christians could do well to imitate the actions commanded by God to the children of Israel. Speaking of the laws of God, Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” From getting up in the morning until the time we lie down at night and in all activities in between, teach children diligently the commands of God. Children should be taught and shown by example how to love the word of God and how to hate every false way.

One of the most effective tools of teaching used by Christ was the parable. By using physical and familiar examples, he was able to reveal spiritual truth to his. hearers. Parents could do well to take everyday experiences in their lives and use them to relate to their children about God and his word. From a young age teach them that God is the creator of heaven and earth. He has set in motion the laws that govern the universe and still controls it and cares for the soul of each person. This can be done as children begin to become aware of more, than just themselves.

Timothy is a good example of what a godly parent can achieve. “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). In 1:5 of that same epistle, Paul reminds him of the genuine faith that was in Timothy’s mother and grandmother. Timothy was a faithful worshiper of God.

Educate them about life. This is an area in which many modem parents have avoided their responsibility. They have turned this kind of teaching over to the “experts.” These “experts” may be atheists or agnostics. They may possess some religious background, or label themselves “Christians,” but more times than not they have drunk deeply from the well of human knowledge and philosophy. They take age old problems and try to solve them with modem solutions. I don’t speak of education in math, English and the like. I speak of life. I speak of how to handle problems that arise. Of the one standard of authority, the Bible, that they can turn to and have stability in their life. To teach them of the pitfalls of sin and the painful consequences they may have to beware because of sin. To teach them that God’s word determines right and wrong and not their own whims. Give them that anchor that will keep them safe through eternity.

We need to make our children aware of the devices of Satan and how with God’s help we can escape them. Our children need to know the joy of living a life pleasing to God. This they can learn by word and by example. Let parents demonstrate in their lives the things they are teaching their children, lest we become hypocrites in their eyes.

Parents, if your life has become so filled with other activities that you have little or no time for your children, you will regret it. Also you will answer for it. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psa. 127:3). How are you treating this blessing from God?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, p. 270
May 4, 1989