Battlefield.

"We are never strong enough to risk walking into temptation."

-Anonymous

"There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice."

-Mark Twain

"Most people who flee from temptation usually leave a forwarding address."

-Australian Manufacturer

"Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey them and live! Guard my teachings as your most precious possessions. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart."

-Proverbs 7:1-3 NLT

There are so many warnings in Proverbs, especially to the young guys, about immorality. These same warnings also include and are for the girls as well. If nothing else, these warnings are excellent examples of what not to be. This whole chapter focuses on immorality, a father's advice, and a warning to a his son. "Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey them and live! Guard my teachings as your most precious possessions. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart" (Proverbs 7:1-3).

This fatherly advice, if taken seriously and with the heart, will protect a young guy from immorality. It is a heart decision, however, that will bring victory over the raging hormones of most young men.

First, this advice is from a father who is following through on his God-given responsibility of raising his son. He's not sending him off to a sex-ed class at the local high school and he's not telling him, "Sow your wild oats when you're young." He is giving him the father-son talk the way it should be, explaining that this adventure is really a tragedy in disguise. Someone said, "If you sow wild oats, pray for crop failure!" Instead, if you sow wild oats, you better remember the law of sowing and reaping. Harvest is coming!

Second, the advice given is not seasonal! Always treasure this advice. ". . . always treasure my commands." These commands are never going to be out of touch with real life. These temptations will always be a problem so never let your guard down! This is not old-fashioned, this is cutting edge and good for every day.

Third, this is advice to obey! "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules" (Psalm 119:9). Today, in most churches, we know much more about the Bible than we do. What good is it to study God's Word if we don't obey? "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (Romans 12:2a). So the father says, "Here are the commands, Obey them and live!"

Fourth, be on guard! "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith" (1 Peter 5:8-9a). God tells us to put on the whole armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) because we're going to a war, not a church picnic! Always be on guard and, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do" (Proverbs 4:23).

Last but not least, this is advice for your hands and your heart. "Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart." Notice how the commands are to be bound to the son's hands and his heart as a constant reminder and warning. And the father's desire is for the son to write these commands not simply in the heart but deep within the heart. In Psalm 119, the secret is revealed, "I have tried my best to find you--don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:10-11).

How are we going to pull this off? Well, it won't be easy and it will take more than just casually reading through our Bibles. According to this passage of Scripture we must treasure God's commands, obey them, guard them as being precious, tie them to our very lives, and write them (by memorization) deep down in our hearts. This will take time and it will take work. Defense systems must be built strong over a period of time and highly maintained on a regular schedule. But with the enemy prowling about like a roaring lion, isn't it worth it?

Man the battle stations.

It's war!