The Pilgrim Path---Proverbs 5: 1 – 6

My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.

“WHY SHOULD YOU BE INTOXICATED, MY SON…”

A young man that was engaged to be married said to me, “But I am afraid I will see a woman---you know, in a few years, that I think is more suitable / more attractive / more amazing---more everything---than the one I am already with. What am I going to do?” My—my, was he confused. He had “ issues” with commitment---and “love” (love is a verb you know). Thankfully, that engagement was “broken”---and the young woman was spared the trauma of marrying a very troubled and immature fellow. But these “issues” do NOT go away. In today’s text we have a warning against adultery. Our society has not thought much of that sin for a long time (my whole adult life). Take note in the passage though---adultery/ sexual sin--- hurts all involved!

One of my seminary professors (Dr. Sproul) said he tried to get a woman not to leave her husband (she got caught up with a man at work). She would not listen, even though she said she was a Christian. Ole Sproul showed her his appointment book. He already had appointments with 43 people (parents/ friends/ children/ work associates) to discuss the horrors and heartache this situation was stirring. Do not let anyone tell you this is a victimless sin. Usually quite a few people pay a price for it. The devil never tells you ahead of time.

The Puritans used to say the answer for fornication and adultery was not simply to be married----but to LOVE your spouse. Tremendously good advice.

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” Proverbs 5: 18, 19

A gentleman in my graduating class at seminary went on to get a Ph. D in Marriage and Family Therapy. Really great guy (Dale). I remember him saying, “God created sex---and it is designed for marriage. There---it finds its beautiful expression between husband and wife.” He went on to say, “Think of sex like a fireplace: as long as the fire---is in the fireplace---it is a joy. Get fire where it does not belong: carpets / drapes / wallboard---you are in trouble!” Human-beings “get” sex where it does not belong---and the troubles are real and rampant.

Thank God, Jesus Christ cleans people up---and helps them start again. The blood of Jesus, God’s Son---cleanses us from ALL sin. Run from your sin----and run to Him----for a fresh start!

“Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.” Proverbs 5: 20, 21

From Henry Smith: Before man had any other calling, he was called to be a husband…First man must choose his love, and then he must love his choice…The man and wife are partners, like two oars in a boat.

From John Owen: Get acquainted with your heart. If it is deep, search it out. If it is dark, inquire into it. If your hear seeks to deceive you or to throw you off track by mislabeling its sinful tendencies, do not believe it. Some seek to justify, conceal, or excuse the evils of their own hearts instead of seeking to destroy them…

Richard Baxter on marriage: It is a mercy to have a faithful friend that loveth you entirely…to whom you may open your mind and communicate your affairs…And it is a mercy to have a near friend to be a helper to your soul and…to stir up in you the grace of God.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason