The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray” (5:22-23). One of the lies of sin is to convince us that we are still in control, rather than sin becoming master over us. But sins (iniquities) capture, or bind, us. Paul later wrote, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). When we pursue sin, rather than righteousness or divine wisdom, we become slaves of sin. The end result is that we “die for lack of instruction.” This shows us that God’s instruction teaches us to repudiate sin. Many believe that sin is tolerable because it cannot cause a child of God to be lost. This idea is false. The word of God plainly teaches us to avoid sin (cf. Titus 2:12). Therefore, if one ignores this instruction and chooses to live without it, he will be captured by his iniquities, which will ultimately result in death – either physical death (as is Solomon’s primary point) or, as we extend the application, spiritual death (Romans 6:23).

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!