Daily Devotion of Proverbs 5

Daily Nugget:
Proverbs 5 gives a warning that too many ignore, and regret it later. Although it was directed to Jewish men, it can apply to men, and portions of it, to women today. The advice is for men to avoid having sexual relations out of wedlock and especially with prostitutes and “strange” women.
“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.” Proverbs 5:3-4

“Strange women” is referring to those that were not Jewish, but also can be applied today to those that are not Christians. Whoever it is, sexual relations out of marriage is sin. If it is between unmarried people, most agree, it is called “fornication.” If the iniquity involves a married person, it is “adultery.”
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Cor. 6:14
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” I Cor. 6:18 Also: I Cor. 6:18, I Thes. 4:3.

Although “shacking up” is sadly commonplace today, it is a sin (Jude 1:7). It does not matter if it is with “my finance.” It is not permissible in God’s eyes. It is still iniquity. Intimate experiences are intended to be between a married man and a woman.

Violating God’s commandments will cost the sinner quite a bit. To avoid the wage of sin in this area, keep far away (Prov. 5:8) from a “strange” relationship. Do not even consider dating an unsaved person if you are born-again, as it can be on the pathway to falling into sin.

The price one may pay for not heeding this wisdom (Prov. 5:1, 7) can include:

  • Goals, values, and your future may be changed and confused because of a wrong relationship.
    “Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.” Prov. 5:6
  • Respect from others can be lost.
    “Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:” Prov. 5:9
  • One’s regret for an improper relation may be long-lasting and tortuous. Prov. 5:9.
  • What one has worked for for so long can be frivolled away because of a wrong decision.
    “Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;" Prov. 5:10.
  • Although the act may bring temporary gratification, it can bring emotional regrets and even physical side effects (including venereal disease).
    “And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,” Prov. 5:11

The desire and need for companionship are great for most. Be faithful to the mate you already have (Prov. 5:15-20).
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Heb. 13:4
“Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” I Cor. 7:2

If you do not have a spouse, pray and wait patiently for the one God knows is best for you. Too many have not done so, and their not seeking God’s match have cost many broken hearts, families, and wasted pasts.

Sexual relationship is reserved for marriage. Premarital sex will not get God’s blessing Wait on the Lord’s choice, as He knows who is best for you.

Today’s Thought: 
Years ago, I used to chat and witness on Internet chat boards. At that time, President Clinton was caught in his adultery.

One woman I was able to witness to insisted that all men cheated on their wives. What a poor testimony that is for men she was around. Fortunately, I know that is not true. Out of knowing thousands of men in 40 years of ministry, that sin has been rare to those I have met. Not all men are fornicators and adulters. I always wanted to follow up on that lady and re-tell her that many men are faithful. It is God’s plan and it will bring joy, not grief.

Words to Understand:
Cistern: usually refers to a well, but in this usage, it is referring to one’s wife where sexual relationships are to be confined to.
Reproof: correction

Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 5
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 ¶ Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

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