Consent thou Not (Proverbs 1:10-19)
“Consent thou not” is one of the first teaching for us in the book of Proverbs. This teaching is important because it deals with the temptation to sin, and the invitation to sin from an outside source.
What does it mean to give consent?
Consent – Agreement of the mind to what is proposed or stated by another; accord; hence, a yielding of the mind or will to that which is proposed. [American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster 1828]
From this definition we learn that we should not be a partaker of the sin as well as the fact we should not even consider the sin in our minds. The word consent also implies that we should not be in agreement with others who are doing those sins.
An excellent passage in the New Testament for this same thing is Ephesians 5:6-17
Vs 6 Note the vain words.
Vs 7 Do not be partakers with them
Vs 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
Vs 12 It is a shame to even talk about those works even if you do not partake in them
Remember also, 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
In temptations the positive is shown not the negative:
Going back to Proverbs, let us look at the invitation to sin, or the enticement as Solomon says that is given in verses 11-14.
- Note that the positive is given before the negative (verse 13). This is exactly what happened when Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. This is also what the world does to us, it gives us the positive side without showing you the negative results. Examples: Tobacco, drugs, sex, alcohol, or any other sins are glamorized on TV, Magazines, and Billboards every day.
- Note the negative in verse 14, “let us all have one purse”. Whether you are the getaway driver or the one who robs the bank, in a court of law you are both charged with the same crime. Here is the point of no return.
Judas took money to betray Jesus Christ and note that when he tried to give it back, they said “what is that to us, see thou to that” (Matthew 27:3-10). That is exactly what will happen when you get caught and your friends do not, they will say we don’t know you, you deal with it.
The end result for those who follow other into temptation:
In verse 16-18 we see an accurate description of these people and what happens to them in the end.
Vs 16 They run to evil and love to shed blood.
Vs 17 If one looks their net is plain to see for everyone but themselves
Vs 18 In the end it is their own blood and their own lives that are destroyed.
These things here ought to be enough to make us see how important it is to “consent thou not”.
Now when we read this passage, we have a tendency to only think of thieves or murders. But in verse 19 you will see that the Bible says these are the ways of those who are greedy of gain.
Not just murders are being warned about this will include anyone who is greedy of money.
1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Consent thou Not (Proverbs 1:10-19)
Handout
1) What does it mean to consent to sin?
2) What are some passages that help us to understand why we should consent not?
3) What can we say about the invitation given by the wicked in verses 11-14?
4) What is the outcome for these types of people who try to get you to follow their ways?
5) What important thing do we see from verse 19?