“Seeking Wisdom, Trusting God”
PROVERBS 7 - Warnings Against the Adulteress
Proverbs 5 pleaded with us to be honorable and not to commit adultery. Proverbs 7 warns us of the temptation of sin. Sexual sin is more prevalent today than almost any other time in world history. Cable TV, the Internet, adult book stores are all around us. Young men, young women, even children are being tempted to disobey God. Many do not know God's Word and wisdom. For most, sexual sin is a subject we would like to avoid - but it is a major temptation today that separates us from God.
To combat temptation, fill your life with God's Word and wisdom. Recognize the many strategies of temptation and flee from them. Sexual sin is attractive to men, but one can take steps to avoid sexual sin by guarding one's mind. Do not read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that feed wrong desires. Avoid friends and settings that tempt you; instead focus on the future. Do not let today's passion lead to tomorrow's ruin.
Jesus recognized the pattern of temptation. Jesus said, "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart." (Matthew 5:28) Protect your heart by controlling your mind and thoughts to God's Word.
All sin is very tempting because it appeals to our ego, our pride. Pride appeals to an empty head, sexual enticement to an empty heart. Both separate us from God. Let us fill our head with the Word of God; let us fill our heart with a love of God. Let us replace our pride with humility as we bow before God asking Him to lead us from temptation.
Proverbs 7 tells us to beware of temptation and to flee. "Her house is a highway to the grave leading down to the chambers of death." We must flee from sin because the longer we hang around, the more likely we are to fall. Remember God is watching over you. Whenever you are tempted, God will provide an exit strategy so that you may flee (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do so quickly.
To combat temptation, fill your life with God's Word and wisdom. Recognize the many strategies of temptation and flee from them. Sexual sin is attractive to men, but one can take steps to avoid sexual sin by guarding one's mind. Do not read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that feed wrong desires. Avoid friends and settings that tempt you; instead focus on the future. Do not let today's passion lead to tomorrow's ruin.
Jesus recognized the pattern of temptation. Jesus said, "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart." (Matthew 5:28) Protect your heart by controlling your mind and thoughts to God's Word.
All sin is very tempting because it appeals to our ego, our pride. Pride appeals to an empty head, sexual enticement to an empty heart. Both separate us from God. Let us fill our head with the Word of God; let us fill our heart with a love of God. Let us replace our pride with humility as we bow before God asking Him to lead us from temptation.
Proverbs 7 tells us to beware of temptation and to flee. "Her house is a highway to the grave leading down to the chambers of death." We must flee from sin because the longer we hang around, the more likely we are to fall. Remember God is watching over you. Whenever you are tempted, God will provide an exit strategy so that you may flee (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do so quickly.
1 My son, keep my words
And store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
And store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Look at the action verbs - keep, store, guard, bind, write. The father is asking the son to remember His commands, His teachings at all times. To have them accessible- at His finger tips - to have them embedded in His heart for His own protection when temptation comes.
If you are a man, honor God by avoiding sexual sin. When you have failed - all men have based Jesus' definition of adultery, then seek God's forgiveness remembering that Jesus Christ died for your sins and mine. Lay those sins at the foot of the cross.
If you are a father or a grandfather, share God's Words and wisdom with those you love. Today's world is full of sexual temptation for both young men and women. Be a light to those around you so that you may strengthen others with God's encouragement.
