Consent To Walk In Freedom

“My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent” –Proverbs 1:10 [NASB]

Some of the Bible’s simplest words of encouragement can often times contain some of its most powerful truths and I believe this is the case in Proverbs 1.  In Proverbs 1:10 we get a peek into Solomon’s wisdom as he encourages his son with the words, “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent”.

I know many of you can recall as a child getting some type of talk about not doing a certain thing or going to a certain place because it would only lead to trouble. I can picture Solomon looking purposely in his son’s eyes and encouraging him not to follow the crowd and do what everyone else does. We find similar encouragement in Proverbs 13:20 where the word reads, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm”. I remember one night when I was in college and my relationship with the Lord was growing some friends of mine asked me if I wanted to go out to the club.  Part of me wanted to go out and have a good time but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Lord wanted me to stay home and spend time with Him. I remember the pressure of that decision; I had about 10 guys in my living room trying to persuade me to go and the Holy Spirit compelling me to stay. Ultimately I chose to stay at home, however, one of my roommates decided to take up the offer to have a little fun on a Friday night. The next morning my roommate told me that it was good that I did not go because their truck spun out of control and they were stuck on the side of the road for a while in the cold weather. Listening to the Lord and not following the group spared me the circumstance that my friends found themselves in.

One of the benefits of not consenting when the world entices you is that the Lord often times protects you as a result of walking in obedience to Him. Now if that same scenario had happened when I was not walking with the Lord I more than likely would have went out to the club but as a believers we are no longer ruled by sin and have the power to turn our backs when temptation calls. When we are born again the Bible says that we are no longer slaves to sin and unrighteousness [Romans 6:6]. Brothers and sisters in the Lord be encouraged this month as the Lord helps you to walk in the blessing of freedom from sin that He has given you. Below are a few scriptures to meditate on that will help assist you in this. I would love to hear how the Lord has helped you to walk away from the enticement of the world. Be blessed!

• Titus 2: 11-13 “For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

• Read Genesis 39:7-12 and see how Joseph literally ran from enticement.

• Romans 6:6 “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.”

 

Curtis loves to read, write, and listen to music in his spare time.  He also enjoys photography and traveling to different locations in the U.S. and the world. He currently resides in Washington State with his beautiful wife Jenette. Curtis desires to continuously grow in the Lord and share his knowledge through writing and teaching. You can get a peek into his world by checking him out on Twitter.