READ CHAPTER 5 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,
VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
Also, if you don't already know Proverbs 3:5-6, memorize that as well!
We will be getting a new memory passage tomorrow.
How to begin is my most difficult decision. Lol Those of you who know me also know how long my stories are. I will work diligently to keep it reasonable. :-D
When reading Proverbs chapter 5 the first thing that jumps out at me is LISTEN! Listen to Wise Counsel/Wisdom!
In verses 1-2, this chapter begins with these words of instruction. With God's word, we often see... IF-THEN.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
14 IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
14 IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
In today's verses, it is IF you will listen carefully - THEN you will show discernment/your words and actions will show what you have learned.
How many times do we hear our Pastor giving us wise counsel, or read God's instruction and yet do Not listen?
This chapter is very clear in it's instruction. STAY AWAY from immorality! FLEE - Don't even go NEAR the door! In today's society, it has become socially acceptable to live with someone outside of marriage or simply 'try out' the goods. God's word is very clear that this is Not okay. Not only is it sin, but look at what this chapter tells us will happen to those participants. You will suffer shame, difficulties and hardships, possibly disease, and may lose everything. Verses 11-14 tell us you will groan with regret and shame wishing desperately that you had listened to instruction.
Verses 15-17 are very explicit. Drink water from your own well- your spouse. Why go in the streets having sex with just anyone? Reserve it for yourselves. NEVER share it with strangers. Ladies and gentlemen. . . This couldn't be any clearer.
Verses 18-20 show us that inside marriage sex is a beautiful thing. It says REJOICE - find joy in each other! Be captivated by love. Why search for love elsewhere when it is meant for only you to share!
The ending of Proverbs 5 shows us God sees all. We may hide our indiscretions and immorality from others, but not from Him. If we choose to give in to the lusts of our flesh, it will entangle us and cause us death! Yes, it may cause physical death, but it will most certainly cause Spiritual death.
This chapter of Proverbs really touches my heart because working with so many young people over the years, I have diligently tried to instill God's word and love into them. And yet, some still choose a difficult path. It breaks my heart to see them make bad choices, especially when they have been taught God's word and know better. If it breaks our hearts when we see our children make bad choices, how much more so does our heavenly Father's heart ache for us?
You may be one of those students and maybe you've made poor choices. Or maybe you've never been in our group, but you see yourself in this chapter. Maybe you haven't succumbed to this weakness, but you feel the temptation. Whichever position you find yourself facing, know that God is gracious and loving. There may be consequences for our sin, but...
1 John 1:9 (NLT)
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
We can overcome our sins and temptations. If we've confessed, He has cleansed, and we need not dwell in shame and regret.
As children of God, He is also faithful to help us resist temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
When the struggles of this life, whatever they may be, seem to overtake you, remember, just reach out to Him and
-HE- will carry you!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JOSIE MATHIS is wife of 11 years to Bro. Michael. She is the homeschooling aunt to two of her nieces and has been faithfully working in Children and Youth ministries for over 15 years. Together, Bro. Michael and Josie serve as Jr. High Youth Pastors at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas.
Josie, this brought me to tears. When I think of parents (or loved ones) who are praying for their children, grieving for them to turn away from sin and come back to the Lord, it almost breaks my heart. Reading Proverbs 5 and your word today just so encourages me that we have such a HOPE in Jesus Christ. God is gracious and compassionate, full of love and mercy!!! "When the struggles of this life, whatever they may be, seem to overtake you, remember, just reach out to Him and -HE- will carry you!!" GREAT WORD! : )
ReplyDeleteTears here too. Josie, I can see your heart in today's study. You have so eloquently put into words the tender mercies of our Lord. Condemnation is far from Jesus' heart. This is my prayer today: "Cause me to know the way in which I should walk" Psalm 143:8
ReplyDeleteSo good!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have always read Proverbs 5 and thought that it must be figurative. Proverbs is about getting and having wisdom; chapter 5 is about fleeing adultery and sexual immorality...did we take a detour? NO! The message in Proverbs 5 is literal. Be wise, avoid temptation, be true to your spouse and keep your love and your sexual relationship pure with the wife (or husband) the Lord has given you. Take pleasure in them and them alone.
ReplyDeleteI Corinthians 6:13-20 addresses this same issue. I Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body"...the temple of God, that was bought with a price (vs 19-20). If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, then sinning against your own body which is the temple of God and bought by His Son's sacrifice must be the antithesis (the beginning of stupidity)!
Josie, that is such a good word! Proverbs is so rich and relevant! And yes, it is literal.
ReplyDeleteAwesome add on Tiffany! (The beginning of stupidity)! . . . Looking at this from the opposite direction. . . Really makes one think deeply. Perhaps we should consider looking at more scripture from this angle. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete