Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Can a good kid get into trouble? Yes. Can a child harm himself? Yes. Could a child with a good heart play in the road and get hit by a car? The tragic answer is yes. In Proverbs 7 we have a case for commands. The context is specifically parents and children. Most specifically the proverb is set against the backdrop of a father giving instruction to his son.
Proverbs 7:1 says, “My son, keep my words.” The idea is to guard, protect, and follow those words. Then verse 5 says, “That they may keep thee from the strange woman.” The strange woman is a woman who is not your wife. She doesn’t belong to you. So dad is saying essentially, “Son, keep my words and my words will keep you. Keep, honor, and protect my commandments and my commandment will protect you.” A good-hearted person can certainly get into trouble, and that is why having a good heart is not enough to keep a young man, a simple son in verse 6 and following, from destruction.
Think about King David, a man after God’s own heart, a man who loved God and did what was right. We admire David for defeating Goliath and for his courage in leading against the Philistines and other enemies of God. Yet, David was a man who could conquer giants but who could not conquer himself. The Bible talks about his adultery with Bathsheba, which was a great sin that became even greater with the cover-up that followed. David had a great heart, but that was not enough to keep David from falling to his own vices, temptations, and inner struggles.
Having a good heart is not enough to keep a young man from destruction. He needs a father. He needs a dad who gives fences. By application, a young lady needs the same thing and a mother is to provide this guidance and direction likewise. But the point is, if I am raising a child that God has given me, I am to give him guidance and direction. You cannot lead with “no.” You have to lead with “yes” and correct the “no.” “This is who we are. This is where we are going. No, not that way. You are getting off the path. Get back on the trail.” A young person needs both a “yes” and a “no” from mom and dad. You lead with a “yes,” correct with “no,” and do both lovingly but firmly.
So, the rules that you honor will honor you. That is true in life. The father says, “My son, keep my words that they may keep thee.” So, I want a child who has a heart for God and a good heart, but the way I cultivate a good heart is by cultivating the right actions. The two go together. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do I do right and then have a good heart, or do I have a good heart and then I have good actions? I think there is a more obvious answer, but the fact is that both are important. If I will do the right thing, it will help me to think in the right way.
Having a good heart is the goal, but having a good heart is not enough to keep a young person from destruction. That young person needs a dad and mom who give fences and guidance. That is the example we have in Proverbs 7.