Proverbs 1:10-19

10My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
11If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
13We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse”—
15My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;
16For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
17Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird;
18But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.
-Proverbs 1:10-19

Sin is enticing. Sinners bring others in their own way. It is interesting the way this passage is written, because sin does not always seem to be this blatant in the approach to our doorstep. Surely the vast majority of us are not eager to lie in wait to shed blood and lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. Surely we would not hasten with them to run for such evil. Yet the Proverbs issue a grave warning. A trap is set and they are eager to take down any that would step into it.

Verse 19 is the real kicker here. While verses 11-18 seem extreme, it is expounded upon in saying that it is the same for those who are greedy for gain. Sure, you may not be enticed to shed blood and lurk secretly for the innocent without cause, but would you be persuaded to walk in greed? Sin is enticing in a way that you do not think of the consequences. We attempt to explain it away and argue that greed is not that bad. If that is the case, I regret to inform you that you have been enticed by the way of sinners. Greed takes the life of its owners. Heed His word and walk with caution. Consider His word carefully and walk in His ways. As such, your life may yet be preserved.