Proverbs 5:21-23: Freedom

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. Proverbs 5:21-23

God sees and ponders the course of life each man chooses. Nothing 'gets by' the Lord!

There are many photos and videos of pets who have gotten into trouble, but give the sad "puppy dog eyes" when confronted. The pet is sitting in the middle of foam which he tore out of the sofa, or the red lipstick as colored the fur of the one who ate it, or the toilet paper is still stuck to the cat who unrolled the entire roll. They could not hide from their mischievous actions—they were captured "red handed". That is how sin is in our lives. We can become so entangled that no matter how we try to hide it, it's very evident; for sin has consequences.  

When a man sins, he becomes captured or seized by his own sins. He is entangled by the ropes of sin.  Many say that they sin because they have "freedom". However, when you look at their life, they aren't really free at all.

We want freedom to "do drugs". But we see over and over the sadness and even death that addiction and drug abuse cause.

We want freedom to "be sexually free". Yet, we continue to see the damage that "causal sex" has on relationships and self-esteem. We see the medical consequences of immoral sin as diseases increase. 

We want freedom to ...... the list continues. 

Yet, we continue to see that the freedom that sin promises is not true freedom for it comes with the ropes that entangle and trap in despair and death.

Proverbs 5:23 states it very clearly. For want of, or without discipline, chastening, correction man will die prematurely, by neglect of wise moral conduct. The abundance of his foolishness go astray morally. 

Freedom. Freedom following Wisdom. Or the false freedom that neglecting wise moral conduct offers. Which will you choose? 

When a heart is permeated by a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then there is a  desire to hear and obey wisdom—which leads to ultimate freedom!