My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
refrain thy foot from their path
Fools are avoided by the wise man. Sinners are avoided by the righteous man. If you cheat on this know that it will cost you dearly. Good manners are corrupted by evil communications. ( 1 Corinthians 15:33 ). Especially for youth these rules are true. That is why King Solomon taught his son to avoid the evil and sinful lifestyles, the influences which are evil, of rebels and fools. Do not be mistaken, peer pressure is and can be a powerful force. If you are a wise father you will protect your children from it, you will teach them about it.
Look at the context and consider it. The purpose of Proverbs was first introduced by Solomon. And that purpose is instruction in wisdom. ( Proverbs 1:1–6 ). King Solomon then went and stated the key axioms of fearing The Living God and of obeying parents to achieve this goal. ( Proverbs 1:7–9 ). The dangers of fools and their temptations were then given after that in a lengthy description. He then closed with the following verse...
The above verse is of a woman appealing to all young men to heed her warnings and to heed her advice, or else... He used this as a personification of wisdom.
The following verse...
We shouldn't say "if" sinners entice thee, but rather use the word, "when". Sinners will solicit whatever man or woman. If they will join the sinners, they will offer them advantages. However to their desire the consequences will be fatal. They need to have successful and wise desires.
You see, fools are known to always seek others to join in their wickedness. ( See below verses ).
Sexual pleasures which are sinful are used by whores to entice men. ( See below verses ).
Aaaah but if a man is wise he will know better and will reject both! The friendships he keeps will only be with righteous men and wise men. He does this because his wisdom tells him that if he does the opposite, he will suffer the same judgement that is certain to come upon wicked men and fools.
You see, God wants his Christians to be separated people. The reason for this is simple. It's because the world hates the following...
Put it to the test. In this world, take a bible stand on any subject, which is a strong bible stand, and you will soon enough know the above by experience. God wants His people to live only for Him. To keep you from doing this the world will do anything. Enmity with God is friendship with the world. ( James 4:4 ) ( 1 John 2:15–17 ).
Two dangers in this Proverb are warned against. They are...
Do you want to follow righteousness and learn wisdom dear reader? Then avoid friendly relationships with sinners, compromisers and fools. What I just mentioned here is a basic requirement. Their lifestyles must also be rejected by you, because it is just as damning and corrupting if you choose their goals, activities or attitudes. Be wise and get away from their ways and get away from them!
Foolish people or persons will destroy you if you do not avoid them. This must be done if success and wisdom are your goals. ( See below verses ).
This is a commandment, it isn't a suggestion. Ask yourself this.... "How far should I get away?" I give you the below verse which the wise King Solomon wrote...
In closing I'll leave you with this. Friends can be good and are good, provided they are good friends. However, good friends are measured by two things...
True friends like these can be found in a true church of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. In such a place the world, with all of it's inventions and compromises, is rejected! There the inspired scriptures and wisdom in all it's pure truth are taught clearly and boldly. It is defended. It is exalted.
Ask yourself, how do I stand regarding this rule?
