Thursday, June 22, 2017
Daily reading assignment – Proverbs 5-6
Our scripture reading for today is Proverbs 5-6; however, my focus for this devotional commentary is limited to Proverbs 5:3-6. As a reminder, my www.heartofashepherd.com site is host to my devotional commentary on the Book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 5 addresses a salacious subject—the “strange woman” (5:3-6) and is an appropriate subject in a day when some of the leading voices of women boast they are “dirty women”.
The raunchy nature of our society has not only made women the objects of vulgarity, but has diminished their role as the purveyors of grace and innocence. As wife and mother, womanhood has served humanity as the bulwark of human civility. However, the 21st century woman embodied in the likes of Madonna, Ashley Judd and Miley Cyrus, are racing for the extremity of debauchery. Abdicating the God-given roles that were her strengths, she has diminished her influential virtues—this in the name of liberation!
Ponder Solomon’s warning to his son concerning the “strange woman”.
Proverbs 5:3-5 – “For the lips [conversation] of a strange woman [adulterous] drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil [full of flattery]: 4 But her end [the end of the adulterous woman] is bitter as wormwood [cursed], sharp as a twoedged sword. 5 Her feet [path] go down to death; her steps take hold on hell [the path to hell].”
Proverbs 5:6 – “Lest thou shouldest ponder [consider] the path of life, her ways [adulterous woman] are moveable [uncertain; wander], that thou canst not know [understand; discern] them.”
Solomon warns his son, the path of an adulterous floozy is aimless and her ways mesmerizing. She flatters and her words are sweet as a honeycomb (Proverbs 7:13-20), but they are poison to the fool who believes them.
Fools believe they are the exception to the consequences of sin. I assure you that breaking God’s commandments regarding the sin of adultery (Exodus 20:14, 17) will lead you down a path of self-destruction. Indeed, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a) and adultery is no exception—death of a marriage, family, career, reputation and friendship.
What? You say the pornographic nature of your sin is on your computer in the privacy of your home and no one will get hurt?
Matthew 5:27-28 – “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Heed Paul’s exhortation and “Flee also youthful lusts…” (2 Timothy 2:22).
Copyright 2017 – Travis D. Smith