Pro 6:3-5 | MHM | STEP | v. 3–5 : If you have already made this mistake, Solomon advises, “deliver thyself… humble thyself, and make sure thy friend… give not sleep to thine eyes… deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter” (Proverbs 6:3–5 ). This means you should do everything possible to free yourself from this promise. Talk kindly and humbly to the person involved. Ask for release from the agreement. Do not rest until you are safe. Move quickly, because waiting can make things worse. Be as determined to escape as a deer or a bird trying to get out of a trap. General Wisdom : Solomon explains that it is not always wrong to help others by being a surety. Sometimes, it is kind or just, as when Paul promised to pay what Onesimus owed (Philemon 1:19 ). But in general, it is wise to avoid debt and not to risk more than you can afford. “The borrower is servant to the lender,” so Christians should not become slaves to money (1 Corinthians 7:23 ). Never promise to pay more than you are able, and if you do, work hard to get free from it ( Ecclesiasticus 8:13 ). It is better to humble yourself and find a solution than to be stubborn and end up in trouble. Also, be careful not to share in another person’s sin before God (1 Timothy 5:22 ). If we are so eager to get free from debts to people, how much more should we seek to have our sins forgiven by God through Jesus Christ. Do not rest until you have made things right with God.

‏ Proverbs 6:3-5

v. 3–5: If you have already made this mistake, Solomon advises, “deliver thyself… humble thyself, and make sure thy friend… give not sleep to thine eyes… deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter” (Proverbs 6:3–5 ^a). This means you should do everything possible to free yourself from this promise. Talk kindly and humbly to the person involved. Ask for release from the agreement. Do not rest until you are safe. Move quickly, because waiting can make things worse. Be as determined to escape as a deer or a bird trying to get out of a trap.

General Wisdom: Solomon explains that it is not always wrong to help others by being a surety. Sometimes, it is kind or just, as when Paul promised to pay what Onesimus owed (Philemon 1:19 ^b). But in general, it is wise to avoid debt and not to risk more than you can afford. “The borrower is servant to the lender,” so Christians should not become slaves to money (1 Corinthians 7:23 ^c). Never promise to pay more than you are able, and if you do, work hard to get free from it (Ecclesiasticus 8:13). It is better to humble yourself and find a solution than to be stubborn and end up in trouble. Also, be careful not to share in another person’s sin before God (1 Timothy 5:22 ^d). If we are so eager to get free from debts to people, how much more should we seek to have our sins forgiven by God through Jesus Christ. Do not rest until you have made things right with God.

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