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I. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE TEMPTER TO SEND HIS SOLICITATIONS BY THE HAND OF THOSE WE LOVE, whom we least suspect of any ill design upon us, and whom we are desirous to please, and apt to conform ourselves to. Satan tempted Adam by Eve and Christ by Peter. We are therefore concerned to stand upon our guard against an ill proposal, when the person that proposeth it can pretend to an interest in us, that we may never sin against God in compliment to the best friend we have in the world.

2. The temptation is supposed to be private: he will "entice thee secretly"; implying that idolatry is a work of darkness, which dreads the light and covets to be concealed; and which the sinner promiseth himself, and the tempter promiseth him, secrecy and security in.

II. IT IS OUR DUTY TO PREFER GOD AND RELIGION BEFORE THE BEST FRIENDS WE HAVE IN THE WORLD.

1. We must not in compliance to our friends break God's law (ver. 8).

2. We must not in compassion to our friends obstruct the course of God's justice (ver. 9). Those are certainly our worst enemies that would thrust us from God, our best friend; and whatever draws us to sin separates between us and God; it is a design upon our life, and to be resented accordingly.

( Matthew Henry, D. D..)

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KJV: If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

WEB: If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;