Proverbs 2:12-14 (ESV)
12 delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,
The son’s maturity and knowledge would liberate him from the corruption of the world and the manipulative, persuasive speech of those who seek to turn wrong into right and right into wrong. The son would encounter people attempting to lure him into a life of darkness while persuading him of their innocence. These deceivers insist that the way of the wicked is far more pleasurable than living uprightly. As you seek a Godhonoring life of wisdom, you too will encounter people who passionately insist that the things you know to be wicked are just fine. They will say, “Times have changed! God doesn’t care. Relax. It’s really no big deal.” But they are wrong. God does care. Speak the truth in love, and resist the world’s plea to join with it in wrongdoing today.