In the Dark

"For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, 

taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the

 evening, at the time of night and darkness."

Proverbs 7:7-9

The Scripture doesn't tell us whether this young man who is seen through the lattice has been taught the truth or not.  It doesn't say whether he had a mother and father who were diligent to school him in wisdom and knowledge or who disciplined him properly. 

It does say that he was simple. The word simple means silly, not quick of thought, without prudence or discernment.

It also indicates that the young man was very aware of the sinfulness of his pending action.  When did this sinful deed take place?  "In the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness." 

How many times have we done something, oh surely not as wrong as adultery, that we  knew we should not do, and rather than doing it openly we have done it in secret?  For me, more than I would like to say.  Have you ever purchased something and hidden it from your husband?  Have you ever taken that extra brownie after everyone has left your vision?  

What constitutes sin?  "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."  James 4:17.  Can we be Scriptural in saying, "Whoever knows what it is wrong and does it anyway, for him it is sin?"  I suggest that we may.  Therefore if we had to hide in order to eat that extra brownie, it is most likely because we knew we should not be doing it.

I don't want to minimize the importance of this passage of Scripture.  Again, the king is exhorting his son to run from the adulterous woman.  Adultery, one of the overarching commandments that the Lord gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness, is sin.  God hates it.  We must hate it as God does, making it our life goal to be pure before marriage and faithful afterward.  

Yet I believe that one clue that an action may be a sin is found in this passage. When do we do it?  Are we hiding? Are we doing it in the dark?

Praying for grace and wisdom to walk in the light,

Gloria