Victim Hope

(Proverbs 7:26 KJV)  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

In this tragedy I am hearing a word of hope.  It is wrapped in doom.  It is presented as a warning.  But there is hope.  The “victims” (2491a) are walking in hope before they are dragged down by the temptations of life.  This young man did not need to give in to the seduction.  He was not helpless.  He may have been weak and naive but he was not helpless.

We sometimes forget that.  When we see people we care about sliding down into death dealing patterns we need to understand that they are making choices.  God has sent the Holy Spirit to help them make other choices but they reject that.  Sometimes it is the arrogance of thinking we are above common restrictions.  Sometimes it is powerful attractions.  Often it is just a willingness to let sin rule our lives.  The end is death.

So?  You can’t make decisions for your loved and befriended.  You can make decisions for yourself.  You can be open about why you have made those decisions.  You can be the example that makes the other person stop and think.  It is called being salt.  It is called witnessing.