Proverbs 7:10-13, “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,”

Get wisdom and understanding about your sin. Do this by being alert to your own sinful tendencies, and aware of sin’s appeal. Peter helps us with this when he calls us to be sober-minded and vigilant because our adversary the devil prowls around seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Paul said we must “walk circumspectly [that means carefully and watchfully], not as fools, but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15-ff). Solomon calls us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). The Biblical point is clear and consistent, be alert to and aware of sin’s appeal.

This calls for us to always fly to the cross and there be reminded, not only of God’s grace but of sin’s seriousness. God is grace, love and mercy. That is why Jesus died on the cross in our place, but the cross was necessary because of the seriousness of our sin. If the Son of God had to die the death of the cross in order to atone for our sins, how can we play around with sin?

The enemy is not some friendly but annoying dog. One who occasionally stirs up mischief, messes up the landscaping, and sometimes puts muddy paw prints on the carpet. The enemy is a roaring lion. The enemy does not prowl about seeking to just annoy or aggravate. He is on the hunt to destroy. I do not write this to be melodramatic, or to foster legalistic tendencies. This is simply a call to be wise about your sin, and to be alert and aware of sin’s appeal. While making our way through this world there will be times to circle the wagons. We must always look carefully around us because sin is available and is often appealing, but it is always deceptive.