Get Wisdom -- Post 7

Proverbs -- Chapter 7

I spent less time perusing this chapter than any of the previous six. I spent less time not because the chapter is less important, but I think because its message is more readily plain to me -- Stay away from loose women.

Solomon reminds us in vs1-2 that we must treasure the truth for it is our life. The truth he has in mind on this occasion is the truth regarding the relationship between men and easy women. The remedy for us men is not found in resisting their enticements. The remedy is found in not being around to be enticed. This is exactly what we see in the New Testament in regard to such situations. The way we fight sexual temptation is not to resist, but to flee (1 Co 6:12-20). This is quite a startling picture. The idea of sin-fighting is normally of a warrior standing fast and fighting with all his might against the enemy of his soul (The Apostle Peter says our fleshly lusts wage war against our souls --1 Pe 2:11. That sounds a lot like Pr 7:27). The fight is often waged by prayer (See Ep 6:10-20 and Mt 26:36-46, for examples). But when the issue is sexual temptation, the idea is of the warrior running for his life. This is how God means for us to battle this particular enemy, like Joseph did (See Ge 39).

The simple truth is that the strongest most mature Christian man, if he repeatedly puts himself under the influence of seductive women, will lose that battle. Some men, if even in the situation once, will lose. You know yourself. Act accordingly, and er on the side of safety.

The picture of the victim in Proverbs 7 is of a man who tries to resist but refuses to flee. The woman continues to pursue him (v10-20). She is persistent, and so wears him down, which she could not have done if he were not occupying her space (v6-9). Now weak and worn, he breaks -- "All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter" (v22).

I believe that the seductress is alluring because of powerful desires residing within men, and because of the craftiness of some women. The truth is that men want to be loved on and made to believe that we are physically desirable. Steve Camp wrote a song years ago that says, "When you're crying for love, you're crying for God". True. But our corrupt and twisted hearts, when they won't find rest in Him, will seek for it elsewhere, most often in the arms of a woman.

In addition, seductive women are seductive for a reason. Solomon says they are "wily of heart" (v10). They prey on our weaknesses. And they have powerful weapons that appeal to all of our five natural senses. We see their beauty (v10). We taste their kisses (v13). We smell their perfume (v17). We hear their words (v21). Then we touch their bodies (v22).

Make no mistake men, these women are often "compelling" and "persuasive" (21). They are crafty, and work to cause our senses to overwhelm our minds. So what's the answer? Stay away from them. Do not hang around and so become impressed with them. Flee. Avoid them. They war against your soul.