My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not (Ohabolana 1:10)
The father warns the son for the temptations of sinners and to not consent. He warns the son, that if sinners (people, who live without God and don’t know Him, and have the devil as father and habitually live in sin) try to entice (lead astray, deceive, to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire), that he should restrain himself and consent not.
What does it mean to consent not?
The son must not consent, which means that he mustn’t believe first of all the enticements of sinners. Secondly he shouldn’t allow and give into these temptations coming from sinners (the world). He needs to protect himself from these temptations.
If the son doesn’t protect himself and allows these temptations, he shall leave the path of obedience; the path of righteousness. By his actions, he shall enter the path of the sinners, which is the path of this world.
How do you guard yourself against temptations?
As a son of God, you have to guard yourself against temptations. How do you do that? How do you guard yourself against temptations?
- By staying obedient to the Word of God and stay away from the knowledge, wisdom, and advice from the world. Because they are foolishness to God.
- By restraining yourself and by keeping yourself away from all the things, that could lead you into sin.
Be careful with whom you surround yourself with, and who you allow into your life. Especially, if they don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and are not willing to get to know Him. You may try to convert them. But before you know it, they will convert you to the world, and pull you away from the path of life. Ka izay, you will enter the path of the world, which will eventually lead to hell.
The works of sinners are not good. Even though the world considers them normal and good. Ary noho izany, don’t be tempted, but hold fast to God’s Word, and stay obedient to Him.
‘Aoka ho fanasin’ny tany’
