Don’t Ignore The Warnings

Proverbs 7:1-27

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.  Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.  Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” (Proverbs 7:1-5)

The sexual drive is a powerful urge in most people.  It is easily perverted and, if uncontrolled, can become a serious problem.   Because of the danger, Solomon spends quite a bit of time warning of the dangers and giving proper guidelines.   By learning, and adopting proper standards for oneself, one can avoid the common dangers and perversions.  Unfortunately, modern society seems intent on discrediting those standards as out dated and obstructive, leaving generations susceptible to flattery and impulsive behavior.

“For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.” (Proverbs 7:6-10)

As he watched the crowds in the street below, Solomon observed a young man who had not learned the importance of the basic principles of life.  He was deliberately going to a place where he would be likely to meet compliant members of the opposite sex, looking for a good time.  In such a place he met a person who was dressed provocatively, and was good at manipulating people.

“(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.” (Proverbs 7:11-15)

The person is outgoing and uninhibited and very exciting, and seems very sure of themselves, stubbornly trying to push a little farther even after being told no.    Carefully planned and unexpected contacts set the hormones raging, and references to religious beliefs or charitable activities allay suspicion, implying that this ian not something they normally do and that meeting is somehow destiny. 

“I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.” (Proverbs 7:16-20)

A definite effort is made to make one feel that they are special, using symbolic actions such as giving flowers or a special meal, to make the sexual involvement seem even more desirable and fitting.  An excuse is presented as to why the sexual behavior is acceptable.  In this case she indicates the husband neglects her, going on long trips and leaving her lonely.  Others use unresponsiveness or infidelity or abuse, always implying that the problems are with their mate or “friend.”

“With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.” (Proverbs 7:21-23)

Overwhelmed by the sweet talk and sense of importance and raging hormones and emotions, the foolish person throws caution to the winds and gets involved.  He ignores all the warnings, like a cow walking into a slaughter house despite the smell of blood and death, or like a fool who ignores the law.  The consequences of their actions take them completely by surprise, like being shot in the back.    They are so focused on their pleasure they don’t realize that getting it may cost them their very life and happiness.

“Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.” (Proverbs 7:24-27)

While Solomon has used the illustration of a young man, he warns all the children.  Don’t allow yourself even to consider getting involved, much less begin to live such a lifestyle.  Sexual involvements have hurt a lot of people, destroying the careers and reputations and fortunes of very powerful people, sometimes resulting in the deaths by the hands of a jealous lover. 

In any case, sexual sin brings one into direct opposition of God.  I Corinthians 6:9- 10 warns, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:19-21 and Revelation 21;8 make similar statements. 

It is important to understand a person does not go to hell because he commits adultery.  He goes to hell because he refuses God’s authority in his life, refusing to obey.  Adultery, like other sins, demonstrates that rebellion against God.