Having an affair sounds much better than committing adultery but the difference is only verbiage. And however it is worded, it can be more than an illicit sexual relationship; it can also be a love affair with this present world and its system.
Proverbs seven portrays the seduction of an undiscerning young man by an adulterous woman. The scene in this chapter has lessons and applications, whether the temptation is to physical or spiritual adultery.
"For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense, Passing through the street near her corner; And he takes the way to her house" (Proverbs 7:6-8)
The unwise young man in this story deliberately traveled near the home of the adulteress, indicating that he was willing to surrender to sin. Trouble comes when we place ourselves in a position to succumb to temptation. We begin by mentally toying with sinful behavior; by mentally traveling a path that takes us to the place of actually consummating the temptation.
"With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life." (Proverbs 7:21-23)
Sin in all its forms works the same way: it begins with a choice to place ourselves in proximity to temptation, we then allow ourselves to savor the allure in our minds, and then we take the ill-fated step.
Citizens of the kingdom of God are well aware of how the process works and stand guard against it. We battle sin in the mind long before we stand at the battle front of action. We "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11). His "schemes" are predictable but tragically effective against the unprepared.
By listening to the voice and word of God rather than the tempting allure of the world we can stand as men and women of integrity in a sinful world.
Steve
Proverbs seven portrays the seduction of an undiscerning young man by an adulterous woman. The scene in this chapter has lessons and applications, whether the temptation is to physical or spiritual adultery.
"For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense, Passing through the street near her corner; And he takes the way to her house" (Proverbs 7:6-8)
The unwise young man in this story deliberately traveled near the home of the adulteress, indicating that he was willing to surrender to sin. Trouble comes when we place ourselves in a position to succumb to temptation. We begin by mentally toying with sinful behavior; by mentally traveling a path that takes us to the place of actually consummating the temptation.
"With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life." (Proverbs 7:21-23)
Sin in all its forms works the same way: it begins with a choice to place ourselves in proximity to temptation, we then allow ourselves to savor the allure in our minds, and then we take the ill-fated step.
Citizens of the kingdom of God are well aware of how the process works and stand guard against it. We battle sin in the mind long before we stand at the battle front of action. We "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11). His "schemes" are predictable but tragically effective against the unprepared.
By listening to the voice and word of God rather than the tempting allure of the world we can stand as men and women of integrity in a sinful world.
Steve
posted by steve @ 11:23 AM
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