How does sin trap us and hold us captive? (Proverbs 5:22-23)
How does sin trap us and hold us captive? (Proverbs 5:22-23)
22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;
the cords of their sins hold them fast.
23
For lack of discipline they will die,
led astray by their own great folly.
Clarify
•
Share
•
Report
•
Asked October 28 2018
•
Jack Gutknecht
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Grant Abbott
I think the following verses give a clear picture of how sin traps us: James 1:14-15 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We are enticed by the culture of our world which is controlled by our enemy Satan. Unless this cycle is broken and we are set free from the evil desires of our flesh we will suffer both physical and eternal death. Romans 6:19-23 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bible says we were slaves to sin. It ruled and controlled our lives. But Jesus paid the redemption price and the moment we believed in him we were set free from the power of sin. We have now become slaves of righteousness and slaves of God. Galatians 3:22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Once the law was given, to make us accountable for our sin, we became guilty all the time, we could never obey the law or save ourselves. But Jesus came and fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law so that through faith in him we hear God declare “not guilty.” This total acceptance by God washes all the guilt and shame away. In its place we experience the abounding love of God, who becomes our good, good Father.
Tim Maas
In one sense, sin traps and holds captive all of us, since we are all born with a sin nature that even Christians will always have in this life, as discussed by Paul in Romans 7:13-25. In another sense, sin traps us by the temporal consequences of the sinful acts that our sin natures cause all of us to commit, and from which even faith in Christ does not deliver or exempt Christians. Finally, sin eternally traps and hold captive those who do not seek forgiveness of their sins from God through faith in Christ, resulting in everlasting separation from God for them after this life.
Jack Gutknecht
I think all the previous comments have been good and would like to vote them all up. I also found something in a Bible Commentary by Wiersbe I have and is even online, too: "Their experience goes from freedom to bondage (vv. 21-23). Freedom of choice is one of the privileges God has given us, but He instructs us and urges us to use that freedom wisely. The laws of God are guideposts to lead us on the path of life, and He watches the decisions we make and the roads we take. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (15:3). As long as we use our freedom wisely, we will mature in Christian character, and God can trust us with more freedom. But if we abuse our freedom and deliberately disobey His Word, our freedom will gradually become bondage, the kind of bondage that can’t easily be broken. “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast” (5:22 NIV). Those words could have been used as an epitaph for Samson (Judg. 13–16). It’s impossible to sin without being bound. One of the deceitful things about sin is that it promises freedom but only brings slavery. “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34 NKJV). “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16 NKJV). The cords of sin get stronger the more we sin, yet sin deceives us into thinking we’re free and can quit sinning whenever we please. As the invisible chains of habit are forged, we discover to our horror that we don’t have the strength to break them. Millions of people in our world today are in one kind of bondage or another and are seeking for deliverance, but the only One who can set them free is Jesus Christ. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36 NKJV). No wonder the father warns his children to stay away from the adulteress. “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house” (Prov. 5:8 NKJV). “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death” (7:27)." Copyright © Warren W. Wiersbe. Generously provided by David C. Cook. See all the volumes in the BE Bible Study Series in the Bible Gateway Store.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible