Solomon provides more fatherly advice today. There are some traps that are easily seen and therefore easily avoided. He warns his son to avoid sexual immorality, drunkenness, and bad company.
"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men." (Proverbs 23:26-28) Solomon says, "Take heed to my teaching and observe the way I live. I don't run around with other men's wives. The idea may seem enticing, but it's like falling into a narrow well. It will be extremely difficult to extricate yourself. Don't listen to the flattering words of an immoral woman. She will cause you to be unfaithful to God and unfaithful to your wife. She will cause you to lose everything you have; and believe me, what you already have is more precious to you than you realize. It's more precious to you than the smooth words of a sinful woman. Don't take a chance on breaking your family up."
"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?" (Proverbs 23:29) The king asks a series of short questions to make his son think about the people he has seen who have these troubles. Who are they? "Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper." (Proverbs 23:30-32) Alcohol can be as seductive as a beautiful woman, and as deadly. Alcohol has broken up as many families as adultery has, or perhaps even more.
"Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 'They hit me,' you will say, 'but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?'" (Proverbs 23:33-35) Solomon is describing the person who has become an alcoholic. This person began using alcohol to numb himself from the cares of the world and ended up falling into a trap. Now he can no longer think about anything but his next drink.
The king concludes today with a third warning for his son. He must not associate with people who like to cause trouble. They will influence him to do wrong, and the next thing you know he will be just like them. "Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble." (Proverbs 24:1-2) The man or woman who falls in with the wrong crowd will soon be in deep trouble. Crime is another thing that splits families apart, when the mom or dad ends up in jail for things like embezzlement, burglary, or the manufacturing or selling of drugs. This is why the foster system is overflowing. Too many parents have taken the wrong path.
There are more reasons families break up than just the three Solomon mentions today, but the three he discusses are very common reasons. As children of the living God, we must avoid sexual immorality, drunkenness, and dishonesty. If we want to have stable homes, we have to say no to such temptations. We will never truly profit by doing wrong; we will only end up hurting ourselves, our spouses, and our children. Our families deserve better than that.
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