The Anatomy of Sin Exposed

Proverbs 7:8

          He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the
          direction of her house...

When does sin become sin? This proverb recounts the saga of a young man foolishly wandering in the vicinity of a known adulteress. Sure enough, the young man is captivated by the advances of the wayward woman and gives in to her invitation to his own ruin.

Proverbs 7:22-23

          All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a
         deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird
         darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

In the book of James 1:13-15, the anatomy of sin is exposed. Sin starts with our thoughts. The thoughts we harbor are like an embryo that grows inside of us. As we nurture our evil desires, they are given birth. Once born, our evil desires continue to grow until they are fully developed into sinful patterns that lead us away from God into sin.

This is why Solomon urges his son to desire wisdom rather than folly. It is a matter of life and death.