This entire chapter is instruction from a father to his son about the value of marriage and the folly of infidelity. These are the last three verses of the chapter and offer a bottom line perspective.
In the end, “a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.” God sees and knows all we do (:21). This verse goes both ways — He’s watching the good we do…and the bad!
Based on the message of this chapter, He is now going to address the bad. “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast” (:22). We’ll suffer the consequences of our own stupid decisions and have no one else to blame.
Even worse, “he will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” Our demise won’t be due to our lack of knowledge or understanding, but our lack of discipline (:23).
Yet, we don’t have to live this way! While no one’s perfect and we all make bad decisions, we certainly don’t have to spend a lifetime doing evil deeds and living wickedly.
The LORD calls us to simply man-up to our shortcomings — past and present. We need to honestly admit our inappropriate attitudes and actions and then let them go. He’ll meet us right there!
We can be free from the guilt and shame of past and present decisions. but He’ll also give us the supernatural empowerment to begin experiencing a whole new and much more meaningful way of life…one day at a time!