<p> Choices Proverbs 7:6-27 -- KIND of Like watching accident Excited about the Direction God has for us… Speaking of Directions (knew it was about to happen… been in that situation before, know how it is going How many of you are not good with directions? to end) - Honestly pretty good internal compass… but what man would admit he isn’t good * SOLOMON either through personal experience or he has just lived long w/ directions… 2-3 xs in life lost… Grocery store as child, Hunting... tore down a enough… knows what is going to happen. fence in woods…Atlanta helping homeless person get to a shelter… -- PASSAGE is Solomon narrating this man’s journey and illustrates principle… LOST TRUTHS -- Every CHOICE has a destination…  People who are lost never get lost on purpose. 7:6-7 – All youth lack judgment… not b/c wrong w/ youth…  People are lost before they know they are lost. Judgment requires time and experience.. Young people lack that - Reason parents come down on you… have perspective don’t have * You don’t know when getting lost… don’t know line… “I may lack judgment, but look what you are wearing” - A guy is out driving… drive w/ confidence even when lost.. b/c he doesn’t Truth is parents have time and experience know it yet/doesn’t want to admit it Solomon looks at young guy – Doesn’t have judgment  People who are lost always end up where the road they are on takes (7:8-9) can pretty easily anticipate where this is going them. - You don’t intend to go there… not where wanted to end up THEY DON’T - Here is this kid… knows who woman is… sun going down… Internal tug… intend to end up there… but that’s where road took them. In back of mind… SOUNDTACK… Born be wild - LOAD UP Sunscreen… get all swimgear… luggage stuffed in car… In Solomon’s mind he hears the theme song to JAWS Get on I75 and head north… won’t get there… “we know that” - Huge contrast between what kid thinks & what older wiser thinks… Your CHOICE of direction determines destination… not intention Kid thinks it’s an event (One night, no big deal)…. Disconnected from life Solomon * same principle applies to all life knows Not an event.. PATH(7:10-13) We Know it in hiking & driving… But in other arenas of life total disconnect. (7:14) peace offerings…plenty of money… not prostitute - This reality applies to Your Financially Destination, Applies to Health of Marriage, fulfilled my vows… been to temple.. WHY? Past sins… Your Professional path charted by choices, ROAD You are on affects your Health, Took big bucket of sins and emptied it out… ready to fill it up again… your relationships... etc every area of life… -- Catholic (COLLEGE GOLF – DRUNK – hungover… Be not drunk… Woke up this * SO THIS PRINCIPLE Applies to every area… YOUR direction, decisions, choices morning and prayed the rosary 10 times) ultimately determine the destination of life… not hopes, dreams, education, nor -- PROTESTANT (Lord has saved me… do what I want) intentions. BIG empty bucket… live any way want… insult to GOD… - My concern is there is often a great GULF between where we want to end (She says I am squared away with God and I am ready to fill up my bucket.” up & the path they choose. (7:15) I came out to meet not just anybody – YOU If you Listen to people talk… Hear that People wake up far from where they intended - Imagine his EGO – I am so special… man of her dreams… to be. stuff stories are made of and songs are written about… People hit 30 and 40 and their dreams aren t coming true. ʼ - I thot maybe I would see her… she came out looking for me. Kids not turning out liked hoped Not happy w/ party life… (7:16-18) AM I Dreaming?! Listen to them broken and know not where WANT to be… but as you hear about their (7:19a) I’m assuming that (7:19b) gone long journey- better than expected journey… realize.. they are exactly where feet have taken them. (7:20) – this is why they are having this issue… man bag. Wonder – what did they expect? - come back tomorrow night… move in… ANGRY at GOD… not where hope to be… (7:21-22a) HE follows her… - dream come true for young man… Misconception in society… we think intention trumps decisions… Direction trumps intentions every time. OLD MAN SAYS – (22b) ** Lost people are victims of the principle of the PATH: Like OX to slaughter… deer into noose (22c-23a) (23b) Bird into a snare. you will always end up where the path you are on takes you. -- If young guy could hear Solomon… “You are like my dad in window… Mom – raining Illustrate PROVERBS 7 – man on particular road… but applies to every area on parade…” PROVERBS 7 – written by Solomon… wisest man ever… (True or not) * You are focused on what doing… I’ m on where headed - Scene has Solomon at window --- notices a young man, watching events of his day… You’re focused on Now… I’m on tomorrow Solomon can see what is going to happen to him (24) Solomon beings to address us… LISTEN to ME/Pay attention - Guys – wow that would be great… 4. There’s always something on the wrong path that offers an - women – she’s so disgusting… FOCUS ON LESSON immediate fix or thrill. (25) Do not let your heart turn to her ways or her paths… event not direction * people get trapped is the path they are on b/cIT LOOKS LIKE EASY STREET! (26) Many are the victims she has brought down… NOT UNIQUE - WE CAN LOSE ALL SENSIBILITY – Enamored… - “I’ve never felt this way”, but a lot of other people have. This is special… unique… soulmate… * But God in grace sends people say “Are you sure headed in right direction?” NO IT IS COMMON… so predictable it is laughable… - That’s why we should listen to God – preacher, SS teacher, strong beliver (27) PATHWAY… HIGHWAY… CROWDED HIGHWAY MOMMA – Wouldn’t look from window… Open & Yell down… LIFE LESSONS This is not just date, moment, event, business deal… PATH…. 1. The destination of a decision is predetermined. 5. We need to listen to Godly counselors who are not emotionally attached Every path has a predetermined destination. with our decision. -- The path of impurity has a destination. * Don’t ask realtor… good house… * Don’t ask insurance agent… should I buy Ladies wonder why they get used & every relationship ends the same. Thatʼs where path of “sex before marriage” leads for a woman. - Divorce, don’t take advice only from divorcee -- The path of greed has destination. Empty relationships, buy friends, loneliness - Concerned about party decision – probably should ask 15 year old depends on your -- The path of debt has a destination. Gotta have now, can’t live w/out… ride foreclosures, bad credit, embarrassment, lifestyle other than God intended - DEBT – maybe not ask person who took you to cash today place -- The path of adultery has a destination. 6. It may be too late to get out of our mess, but it is never too late Men canʼt seem to figure out why adult kids are always so distant. to start heading in the right direction. Why canʼt forgive, move on, and bring the grandkids over? QUESTION: If you continue on your current course, where will you end up? Because thatʼs not where the path of adultery leads. 6. The path of purity ... love ... mercy ... The issue is not what or who is on the path, but where is the path headed? 2. Desires do not determine outcomes, directions do. -- Where you are headed is more important than where you are. Has anyone tried to warn you lately? Your conscience? We ignore this in the realm of life: READ THE FOLLOWING . . . Nobody gets around the principle of the direction. • “I want God to bless me financially, so Iʼm not going to give him anything.” You will eventually end up where the direction you are on is taking you. • “I want to meet a great Christian guy whoʼs really got his act together, so Iʼm going to go out with whoever asks me if heʼs cute.” * SPIRTUALLY – Apart from God • “I want great sex life once married, so going to practice w/ people date until then.” Decisions in life… • “I want my kids to respect me, so Iʼm going to fool around on their mom.” Relationships… • “I want my kids to stay away from alcohol, so Iʼm going to drink— responsibly.” • “I want to grow old & invest in grandchildren, so Iʼm going to neglect my health.” • “I want my children to be brought up w/ same Christian values I had, so we are going to the lake on Sundays.” • “I want to lose weight, so super-size that, would you?” • “I want to have a great relationship w/ my husband, so I’m going to make children a priority over him.” • “I donʼt want to live with financial pressure, so I’m going to live beyond my means.” • “I want to support some charities, so Iʼm going to spend all my money on me.” • “I want to know God, so Iʼm not going to read my Bible.” - There is such a disconnect b/n what want & do… 3. Ignoring predetermined outcomes will lead to heartache. * Don’t let her get your heart (25) - Ignoring principle of path will cause you so much heartache… Why would anyone ignore???</p>