We’ve arrived at Proverbs, Chapter Five. There are some clear warnings in here about infidelity, that the Bible calls adultery. As I read through it, I see the reason why God keeps telling us over and over again to pay attention and listen.
I want to say, right up front, if you are in a marital relationship and infidelity has occurred, the forgiveness of God is greater than we can ever imagine.
The pain of betrayal and the guilt of unfaithfulness are NEVER beyond the reach of God’s healing power to heal your wounded heart.
Ok, I took the time to be sensitive and address that hurt, so let’s now read Proverbs 5: 1-23.
This chapter teaches us how to not let our hearts be captivated by the wrong thing.
Go ahead, you can read it out loud. Let’s begin:
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
listen well to my words of insight,
that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked,
but she knows it not.
Now then, my sons, listen to me;
do not turn aside from what I say.
Keep a path far from her,
do not go near the door of her house,
lest you give your best strength to others
and your years to one who is cruel,
lest strangers feast on your wealth
and your toil enrich another man’s house.
At the end of your life you will groan,
when your flesh and body are spent.
You will say, “How I hated discipline!
How my heart spurned correction!
I will not obey my teachers
or listen to my instructors.
I have come to the brink of utter ruin
in the midst of the whole assembly.”
Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.
Should your springs overflow in the streets,
your streams of water in the public squares?
Let them be yours alone,
never to be shared with strangers.
May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful deer–may her breasts
satisfy you always,
may you ever be captivated by her love.
Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?
For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord,
and He examines all his paths.
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him;
the cords of his sin hold him fast.
He will die for lack of discipline,
led astray by his own great folly.” Proverbs 5: 1-23
What captivates you?
If we look up the meaning of the word captivate, it is defined as to “attract and hold the interest and attention of, to charm.”
Be wise and discerning if someone is continually flattering and charming you. This is why God wants our hearts to be captivated by Him.
Perhaps this is also why we are told to, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10: 5
Let’s be real! Lust begins with a thought, doesn’t it? If we examine our thoughts and ways and ask God to help us, He will.
When bad thoughts come, we can’t help it, it’s part of our human, fleshly nature. It’s what we do with those thoughts that gets us in trouble.
Learn NOT to act on those thoughts but learn to listen and pay attention to what God is telling us.
As we close, I do want to point out the very first verse that was highlighted to me. Go back and read it. God is asking us to pay attention, and not just to listen, but to listen well.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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