Proverbs 7:7

Stupid boy! Grow up! Do not let a whore use you like that. Do not let her destroy you. Do not go near her. Get away, now! Your soul, body, and reputation are at risk. You are playing with fire, and you will be burned (Pr 6:27-29), even if you are strong (Pr 7:26).

Solomon’s proverb used these words to begin his lengthy parable about an adulteress seducing a young man (Pr 7:6-23). He identified the character of the victim as a simple person, a youth, and a young man without understanding. Mature and wise young men will not fall for a whorish woman as easily, for they understand the danger and avoid her.

What is a simple person? It is a person who lacks ordinary sense or intelligence, more or less foolish, silly, or stupid. It includes being immature and naïve. Solomon used a vulnerable youth for his parable, because he had observed many foolish and stupid young men ruined by lascivious women. His goal was to get the attention of his son (Pr 7:1,24).

What is a youth? It is a person between childhood and adulthood. If childhood ends at puberty and adulthood begins at 30, then it is the 18 years between the ages of 12 and 30 (Num 4:3; I Chron 23:3; Luke 3:23). Solomon observed that both childhood and youth were vanity (Eccl 11:10). As a wise man, he had no regard for the age of 18 as indicating maturity. Any man that has lived to 30 knows that he thought like an infant at 18.

What is a young man void of understanding? He is a male before adulthood that has not grasped the seriousness of life, the consequences of sin, or the dangers of women. He thinks life is a game for pleasure without responsibility or punishment for foolish choices. He has no fear of God, so he chooses by feelings and lusts. The Bible teaches he ought to bear a yoke of hard labor in his youth (Lam 3:27) and sobriety is his chief duty (Tit 2:6).

Such young men are incredibly dangerous – to themselves! They need fathers that will keep them away from temptation, that will train them in righteousness, and that will warn them of the severe consequences of sexual sins. Young man, are you a stupid fool, or a sober and wise man? Father, have you taught and trained your son for life, or not?

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it away (Pr 22:15). All the world’s psychologists can bark about the innocence of children and youth, but God inspired Solomon to write the truth. Wise parents will recognize their children’s inherent depravity and work hard to restrain it. If they do not do their duty, they will be soon shamed (Pr 29:15,17), and their son will die prematurely (Pr 23:13-14).

Paul warned Timothy about youthful lusts, when hormones are raging and the mind and soul are weak (II Tim 2:22). David asked God to forgive him the sins of his youth, when he had fallen to temptation (Ps 25:7). You should be a child in malice – holding no grudges, but a man in understanding – letting wisdom set your conduct (I Cor 14:20).

How can a young man save himself? “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Ps 119:9). Especially Proverbs (Pr 1:1-5)!