Proverbs:9

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* Verse 1-12 - Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted , and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him , as well as mansions in heaven hereafter . The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests . The call is general , and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves . Our Saviour came , not to call the righteous , but sinners ; not the wise in their own eyes , who say they see . We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly , or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life . It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good ; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them . It is not enough to forsake the foolish , we must join those that walk in wisdom . There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion , no true life but in the end of that way . Here is the happiness of those that embrace it . A man cannot be profitable to God ; it is for our own good . Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it . God is not the Author of sin : and Satan can only tempt , he cannot force . Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest : it will add to thy condemnation . * Verse 13-18 - How diligent the tempter is , to seduce unwary souls into sin ! Carnal , sensual pleasure , stupifies conscience , and puts out the sparks of conviction . This tempter has no solid reason to offer ; and where she gets dominion in a soul , all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten . She is very violent and pressing . We need to seek and pray for true wisdom , for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ . Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men ; but false teachers , with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts , destroy thousands . They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions . The depths of Satan are depths of hell ; and sin , without remorse , is ruin , ruin without remedy . Solomon shows the hook ; those that believe him , will not meddle with the bait . Behold the wretched , empty , unsatisfying , deceitful , and stolen pleasure sin proposes ; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ , that on earth we may live to him , daily , by faith , and ere long be with him in glory . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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