We continue our study in Proverbs 5 with a reminder of Solomon’s admonition to sons and daughters concerning sexual immorality.
Proverbs 5:7-8 – “Hear [listen and obey] me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not [do not turn aside] from the words of my mouth. 8 Remove [put far away] thy way far from her [adulterous woman – vs. 3-4], and come not nigh the door of her house [avoid the place of temptation; avoid the path the adulterous woman]:”
What a contrast Solomon’s teaching is with the failure of today’s parents to challenge their children to be pure and abstain from sexual immorality. “Sex Sales”—so goes the philosophy of our day when everything from cell phones to toothpaste is marketed as sexually alluring.
Parental failure to instruct children to be morally pure attended with sexual exploitation of the Internet, music videos and television has given liberal politicians, educators and government the impetus to impose their own solution to adolescent immorality—free birth control and abortions on demand! How sad that America’s youth will carry the physical scars and emotional baggage of moral promiscuity to their graves.
Solomon continues his admonition concerning sexual immorality in Proverbs 5:9-10 by identifying the consequences of violating God’s moral law.
Proverbs 5:9-10 – “Lest thou give thine honor [good name; glory; authority] unto others, and thy years [life] unto the cruel [those who lack compassion;]: 10 Lest strangers be filled [have their fill; be full] with thy wealth [substance; might; wealth]; and thy labours [toil; sorrow] be in the house of a stranger [one not of your family or household];”
Sexual immorality robs a good man of his name and moral authority (5:9). His sinful indulgences leave him open to blackmail and threats of exposure (5:10). His betrayal of his wedding vows takes him down a path of destruction that ends in divorce. Solomon warns: The wealth and possessions for which a man has labored a lifetime will be lost—divided in divorce and made spoil by lawyers [“house of a stranger” – 5:10].
My friend, one act of infidelity and a pursuit of carnal pleasure can cost you everything! Be faithful to God and your spouse!
Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith