Proverbs is so practical! In chapters 5-7, Solomon has a conversation with his son about sex and immorality. What a great reminder that conversations about sex should start at home. Children are learning about sex. Whether it’s from their friends, music, TV, or the internet, what they hear from culture is incomplete and immoral. Adults, too, are inundated with what culture says. Talk to your kids! Teach them, and remind yourself, what the Bible says. Sex is a blessing and a gift from God, but disobeying God’s design can cause great pain and severe consequences.
The Gift of Sexuality
Look at Proverbs 5:15-21. You will see phrases such as “may your fountain be blessed,” “may you rejoice in the wife of your youth,” and “may you ever be intoxicated with her love.” God is the one who made us male and female. He put Adam and Eve in a tropical paradise naked, unafraid, and unashamed and said it is good! So how did sex become taboo and dirty? Satan perverts everything. He does everything he can to get you to have sex before marriage and then everything he can to keep you from having sex after marriage! We must reclaim the gift of sex God gave us and talk about it at home and in the church. Hooking up and breaking up does not lead to a great sex life. Sex is God’s gift to a husband and wife. It is not dirty but is a blessing! Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” God’s gift of sex is for oneness – one man, one woman, worshiping one God, in one church, living in one house, sleeping in one bed, sharing one bank account, loving each other for one lifetime. Growing old together. The most fulfilled, successful couples today are those in their 80-90’s still holding each other by the hand, caring for each other in sickness and health, till death do they part!
The Guilt of Immorality
Everyone has been guilty at one time or another. Jesus said if you look at a woman and lust, you’ve committed adultery in your heart (Matt. 5:28). Proverbs 5:3 says, “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.” Solomon is reminding his son that immorality starts with conversation. It can be communication, texting, talking with an old friend on Facebook. If you are married, have each other’s passwords. You don’t mind unless you have something to hide! Verse 8 says, “Keep to a path far from her.” Do what it takes to avoid the temptation! Get rid of your computer or your smartphone if that’s where the problem is. Solomon warns, “lest you lose your honor… your dignity… lest strangers feast on your wealth” and you “groan.” Immorality can cost you your job, alimony, child support, attorney fees, and in the end, someone else is sleeping in your bed, with your spouse, in your house, raising with your kids, with your money! Sin can cost you your wealth and your health.
You may be thinking, I would never do anything like that. Proverbs says pride comes before a fall. There is none good, no not one. We all are capable of any sin given the right circumstances. Most affairs begin as friendship and emotional before they become physical. Some of you are in an unhealthy relationship that will become unholy if you stay on the same path. Solomon reminds his son that those who play with fire will be burned (6:28), that the shame will never go away (6:33), and that immorality will cost your life (7:22). Flee the temptation!
The Grace of Recovery
If you are struggling with the guilt of sexual sin I have good news. God’s grace is greater than all our sin! Proverbs 7:2 says, “Keep my commands and you will live.” The world has made an idol out of sex and it has left so many people damaged and disappointed. What did Jesus say to the woman caught in adultery? “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (Jn. 8:11). Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He paid for our sin. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Jesus brings healing. He will wipe away your tears and make all things new! You can have a new marriage, a new start, and a new heart through Him.
Solomon knew something about sexual sin and the gossip surrounding immorality. His father David had a scandalous affair with his mother Bathsheba when she was still the wife of Uriah. This lead to the pregnancy of a child who later died as a result of God’s judgment. David repented, married Bathsheba and their second child was Solomon who would succeed David as King. God is the God of a second chance! You can be an overcomer today! You can be forgiven and cleansed of your sins today.
