Spread Nets in a Bird’s Sight

Aaron Beard

            There have been many good Christians who have suffered spiritual and even physical ruin due to their close associations with those who are of the world.  Solomon spent much time warning his “son” not to be allured in by those who are evil.  It is obvious that Solomon understood the powerful draw toward sin the ungodly could have upon the young person.  Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” 

There are certain things that Solomon tells his son he can do to avoid the destruction his worldly associations would bring him:

            First of all, remember the counsel of your parents:  In Proverbs 1:8-9 Solomon wrote saying, “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.”  Throughout the years there have been many warnings sounded by parents that have simply bounced off the ears of their sons and daughters.  Some get upset when their parents will not allow them to go out with a group of their “friends.”  They suppose their parents just do not want them having fun, friends, or a life.  What they tend to forget is that their parents have not forgotten exactly how easy it is to follow “friends” into spiritual destruction.  If you do get into a crowd that would lead you into sin, remember the teaching your parents have given you and follow it instead of the path of your “friends.”

            Secondly, do not consent when they urge you sin:  Solomon writes, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Prov. 1:10).  This lesson is simple, yet if the advice is adhered to, great harm would be avoided.  Teachers, parents, and police officers have sounded this warning for years saying, “Just say no!”  If one will refuse to follow his friends into evil, they will soon learn what he will and will not do.  The problem is that some young Christians reply to the sinners’ enticements with a shaky answer.  They seem to find every reason to not participate without saying, “I cannot do that… I am a Christian!”  Its almost as if they are ashamed of the real reason.  Their reasoning may leave their worldly friends thinking they want to follow them into the sin and would if it was up to them. 

            Thirdly, do not “walk in the way with them” toward spiritual ruin: Proverbs 1:15 says, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path” (Proverbs 1:15).  Some have been burned by sin because they were convinced they could be around it constantly through their friends and it never affect them.  Solomon said of this mindset, “Can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned?” (Prov. 6:27).  Even strong Christians have been pulled down because they spend time “walking in the way with them.”  Psalms 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful…” If you are walking with the wrong crowds, you will probably wind up doing the wrong things.  If you want to be righteous, you will walk with those who are righteous; however, if you want to be sinful, you will walk with sinners.  The group

you walk with gives a serious reflection of your intentions in your service to God.  Remember the warning of Paul, “Let him who thinks he stand, take heed lest he fall” (I Cor. 10:12).

            Finally, Keep your eyes open to the snares laid before you:  Describing the one who would follow his friends into sin, Solomon says, “Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird…” (Proverbs 1:17).    The picture here is of a hunter that is trying to trap a bird.  Even a bird will not fly into a trap that is set right in front of him.  How much more sense humans have than birds!  The one to whom Solomon writes has had the teaching and can identify what is right and what is wrong.  He can identify  the danger into which his friends are leading him.  Surely, he will not follow them to destruction!

            Christians must keep an open eye for those who would entice them to sin.  It may come in the form of a simple invitation, a boyfriend or girlfriend’s persistent pleading, or the prodding of a group of people.  We are told that there are snares set out by the devil to lead Christians into sin.  This is why Peter says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” (I Peter 5:8-9a).  We must not close our eyes because we do not want to see the sin in which other would lead us. 

            It is not wrong to have friends and associations who are not Christians, that is really necessary because of the world in which we live, but we need to think hard about the type of people we choose to be our closest associations.