Every person must choose his path in life. That path may lead to either eternal life or eternal death.The Law of God is essential to understand the end of each path.

“My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck.” (Proverbs 6:20-21)

“Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:3)

““When you roam, they will lead you; When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”instruction are the way of life.” (Proverbs 6:22-23)(Proverbs 6:22-23)

““Keep my commands and Keep my commands and live, and my law as the live, and my law as the apple of your eye.”apple of your eye.” (Proverbs (Proverbs 7:2)7:2)

Just as the lamp illuminates the path Just as the lamp illuminates the path where we walk, the law will help us where we walk, the law will help us stay on track; that is, when we face stay on track; that is, when we face moral choices, it will help us to know moral choices, it will help us to know what the right choice is, even if at times what the right choice is, even if at times reason or personal expedience would reason or personal expedience would tempt us to disregard the law.tempt us to disregard the law.Furthermore, observing the Law gives Furthermore, observing the Law gives us life. It gives us a better life now and us life. It gives us a better life now and the hope of everlasting life. We’ll live the hope of everlasting life. We’ll live forever with Jesus.forever with Jesus.

““To keep you from the evil woman, from To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids.”nor let her allure you with her eyelids.” (Proverbs 6:24-25)(Proverbs 6:24-25)

Solomon explained how a person may be Solomon explained how a person may be tempted to covet someone. It may be so subtle tempted to covet someone. It may be so subtle that we may not notice we are being tempted.that we may not notice we are being tempted.The tempter or temptress speaks flattering The tempter or temptress speaks flattering words. He or she may even use religious reasons words. He or she may even use religious reasons to justify his/her incitement.to justify his/her incitement.Only the Law and the loyalty to God can hold Only the Law and the loyalty to God can hold back that temptation, like in the story of Joseph.back that temptation, like in the story of Joseph.

““There is no one greater in this house There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his from me but you, because you are his wife. wife. How then can I do this great How then can I do this great wickedness, wickedness, AND SIN AGAINST GOD?”AND SIN AGAINST GOD?”

(Genesis 39:9)(Genesis 39:9)

“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house.” (Proverbs 6:30-31)

Sometimes a sin may seem a “fair” or justified sin. Nevertheless, our motivation can never justify a transgression of the Law of God.A sin leads to another one. If we justify a small robbery, we may finally justify a bigger one, or lying, or committing adultery.That’s why Solomon wrote about adultery again (Proverbs 6:32-35). If a person who steals to satisfy his hunger should be punished, then the person who steals somebody’s self-respect will punished even more. He is causing an irreparable moral damage!

“Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life.”

(Proverbs 7:22-23)

Solomon is warning us about evil by using the metaphor of the adulterous woman. Sin “leads down to the chambers of death” (v. 27 NIV); sin leads to eternal death.Nevertheless, we walk that path many times, being incautious like an ox or a bird.We can take any of these two paths:

The first path leads to eternal life; the second, to eternal death. Which one do you choose?

“These things call for your serious reflection and decided action in accordance with the plainest directions laid down in the Word of God. Now is your time of temptation, now is your time of trial; will you resist the enemy? Or will you place yourself in a position where his power will be exercised over you?It is a life or death question with you, may the Lord help you to see every snare of Satan and avoid it, and cling to Jesus with heart and soul and mind and strength.”

E.G.W. (Letters to Young Lovers, section 4, pg. 84)