A Sexually Pervasive & Permissive Society Series

PROVERBS 5: 1-14

A Word to A SEXUALLY PERVASIVE & PERMISSIVE SOCIETY

[1 Kings 11:1-8]

A man ordered a book on sex education from Broadman Press a several years ago. The materials in the warehouse are coded by number, so the keypunch operator handling the order punched the code into the order for the shipping room. However, she punched the wrong button and thus gave the wrong code number to the warehouse. The man had ordered a book on sex education. Instead, he received a book which was entitled, "Too Old to Learn."

The truth is none of us is too old to learn, for sex is a problem that confronts us at every age. And it has always been so.

Let's ponder chapter five and learn of the poisoning and deadly consequences of sexual permissiveness (CIT). The painful experiences of others (Eccles. 7:26) should cause us with fear and trembling to listen to these words. Man's own strength, the restraint of education, or self discipline can't bind this giant within our society (Judges 16:9). Engraved wisdom and the sentinel of the Holy Spirit are the only effective Safeguards to a Sexually Pervasive & Permissive Society.

I. THE ADULTERER'S DEADLY ENTICEMENTS, 5:1-3

II. HER SHARP & UNSTABLE WAYS, 4-6.

III. KEEP YOUR VIGOR AND STRENGTH, 7-10.

IV. HER VICTIMS' DREADFUL MEMORIES, 11-14.

The teacher's appeal is again to his beloved son in verse 1. "My son, give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding."

We are asked again to "pay attention" and with attention comes the opportunity to grasp wisdom and "understanding" which increases with age for those who will earnestly seek after them. Here again the father of a youth requests a willing ear for his wisdom for life, gained through many years of experience and observation. To hear this teacher is to muffle the call of the temptress and vice versa.

Verse 2 tells us that heeding God's teacher is the way to learn and keep knowledge. "That you may observe discretion, and your lips may reserve knowledge."

Discretion is the reflection and deliberation necessary for well-considered action. Lips which preserve knowledge are such as permit nothing to escape from them which does not proceed from the knowledge of God.

When married people honor and respect sex as God instructs them in His Word, they can experience increasing enjoyment and enrichment in their intimacy. But when people break the rules, the result is just the opposite. They experience disappointment and disillusionment and have to search for larger "doses" of sexual adventure in order to attain the imaginary pleasure level they're seeking.

God created sex not only for reproduction but also for enjoyment, and He didn't put the "marriage wall" around sex to rob us of pleasure but to increase pleasure and protect it. In this chapter, Solomon explains the disappointments that come when people violate God's loving laws of sexual purity.

Verse 3 warns us that the speech of an adulterous will come across as sweet, but the end result is destruction (Mt 7:13). "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech."

The word "adulteress" is literally "strange woman". It denotes any woman not related to man by marriage. The beginning of a sexual liaison may be exciting and sweet with kisses and words from her lips dripping like honey, the sweetest substance in ancient Israel (7:13-20). "Drip" is pour or blow out. Olive "oil" was the smoothest and slippiest substance in Israel. The words are soothing and smooth going down like that of a charmer's voice. But after the prey is trapped in relationship she shows her true colors.

Proverbs includes many warnings against illicit sex for several reasons. A strange woman's charm is used as an example of temptation to do wrong or to leave the pursuit of wisdom. Second, sexual immorality was and still is extremely dangerous. It destroys family life. It erodes a person's ability to love. It degrades human beings and turns them into objects. It can lead to disease. It can result in unwanted children. Third, sexual immorality is against God's protective law.

You should be on guard against those who use flattery and enticements that try to pull you into sin. The best advice is to avoid conversation with such people.

II. HER SHARP AND DEADLY WAYS (4-6).

The teacher's insistence is supported with strong reasons beginning in verse 4. "But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.

Those who permit themselves to be carried away into sexual relationship find there are consequences. To listen to her is to be poisoned by wormwood or bitterness (Lam. 3:19; Amos 6:12). "Bitterness" could also be translated poison. The sharp double edged sword lit., "two-mouthed" speaks of being devoured. Her words take on a sharpness that mutilates and eats her victim alive. The disguised end or result of seduction is bitter and deeply cutting.