Christian Devotional – September 8, 2019
Adulteress. When it comes to giving wisdom to the son, Solomon wants to make sure to warn him about the temptation of the adulteress. Read Proverbs 7.
The Lure of the Adulteress – Proverbs 7:1-12
My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend; That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words. For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense, Passing through the street near her corner; And he takes the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, In the middle of the night and in the darkness. And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home; She is now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner.
Proverbs 7:1-12 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.7.1-12.NASB
When it comes to it the adulteress, it’s important to understand that temptation will find us anywhere. It’s always going to be looking for us and seeking us out, whether we are aware of it or on guard for it or not. Whether it’s an adulteress, or any other temptation that we may end up facing, we must be on our guard all the time, because it is looking to lure us in.
The Lies of the Adulteress – Proverbs 7:13-21
So she seizes him and kisses him And with a brazen face she says to him: “I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows. “Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you. “I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt. “I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. “Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses. “For my husband is not at home, He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, At the full moon he will come home.” With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him.
Proverbs 7:13-21 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.7.13-21.NASB
The adultress is full of lies. As she is trying to lure in this person, she tells him exactly what he wants to hear, whether it’s true or not. When we are being faced with temptations, we need to recognize that those temptations are going to do anything and everything they can to get us to fall. Are we listening to them? They’re not telling us the truth, so if we are listening to them, we are being deceived.
The Destruction from the Adulteress – Proverbs 7:22-27
Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths. For many are the victims she has cast down, And numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, Descending to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7:22-27 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.7.22-27.NASB
If we are not careful, we will be sucked in by the temptation. We see here the devastation and destruction that is brought on to the person who falls for the temptations of the adulteress. Thank goodness for the forgiveness that we can find in Jesus Christ! However, we must continue to be on our guard for even though Christ redeems us here on Earth, there are still consequences that we may continue to experience because of our sin. Are we standing strong against temptation today?