So we are looking at chapter 5 on the 5th of January, 2009. I have a feeling this year is going to fly by just as fast as the last. We are getting a good foundation by studying this book right at the beginning. Wisdom for 2009!!!
The Spirit of an "Immoral" Woman(how to keep from letting that spirit be in you and how to recognize these characteristics and ........you'll see as we study)!
As you read this try looking at it as the "sons" being God's sons and daughters and the "Immoral Woman" being the lust of the world around us. I used to just see this as written to young men about avoiding the pitfalls of immoral women - and it is that - but it is a lot more. You can even see how this chapter shows us to stay within the bounds of our marriage.
vs 1-2 Be attentive to Wisdom and listen carefully to wise counsel then you will.....
a. Exercise proper discrimination
b. Learn discretion
c. Store up knowledge
d. Answer wisely
vs 3-6 Characteristics of the Spirit of the "Immoral" Woman
a. Lips are sweet as honey but bitter poison
b. Mouth is smooth as oil but a sharp two-edged devouring sword
c. Her feet go down to death and her steps lead straight to the grave
d. She does not care about the path of life, her ways wind aimlessly
vs 7-8 Listen to Wisdom and never stray from these words....
a. Run from the Immoral Woman
b. Do not go near her house
vs 9-14 Consequences of entertaining the Spirit of the Immoral Woman
a. Lose your honor
b. Hand over to merciless people everything that you have achieved
c. Strangers will obtain your wealth
d. Someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor
e. You will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body
f. You will regret hating instruction, disciple and not listening to your teachers
g. You will find yourself on the brink of utter ruin
h. You will be publicly disgraced
vs 15-20 Share your love with your wife (spouse) only
a. Why have sex and conceive children with just anyone
b. Reserve sex and procreation for your spouse, not strangers
c. Let your life be blessed with the rewards of fidelity and rejoice with the wife (spouse) of your youth
d. Let her/him be attractive to you and be satisfied always with her/his love
e. Why be captivated with the spirit of an immoral woman?
vs 21-23 The Lord sees clearly what a person does, examining every path he takes
a. An evil man's own sin captures him and holds him like ropes
b. He will die because of a lack of self-control
c. He will be lost because of incredible folly
Who are "Sister Wisdom" and "Immoral Woman" in this chapter?
I should have read this chapter every day when I was in my 20's!!! Somehow we are blinded when faced with this seductive immoral "woman". Deception envelopes you before you know what has happened. Again, "guard your heart"!!!! that is the remedy.
4 comments:
That's good. When I look at the immoral woman, I think of how good she makes sin look. Sin looks good on the outside, and leads you in step by step. But, after you let it get into you, it says that "in the end she is bitter as wormwood, as sharp as a double edged sword." I love how it says "don't even go near her house". That is wisdom. We can't "flirt" with sin, or even let our eyes on it for a second, but it's deception will draw us. We run the other way. The immoral woman isn't worth a second glance. I was reading in 2 Cor 2 yesterday morning, and Paul says in verse 1 of that chapter that "I determined it in my heart...." We have to determine in our own heart to be people of purity, holiness, set apart for God, with our eyes on Him only or we will be swayed when confronted with sin that just looks so good. It can be things as small as how we make decisions, how we treat people, the words that come out of our mouths, or even our thoughts (do our thoughts glorify God...that is always convicting). It's not just about having an affair or extramarital sex. If we don't determine in our hearts before hand to be all about Him and to not give a second glance to sin, then we'll fall. We can't be "maybe" people....we have to determine in our hearts to be "yes" people before confronted with the choice to be "yes", "no" or "maybe" people. Sister wisdom also says to listen to correction. Correction came come in so many forms, but if we can't receive correction from people, then we can't receive correction from God. It says here that the immoral woman didn't receive correction. This proverb is such wisdom!
This is probably one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because I have been that Immoral Woman. Before my marriage and in my marriage and one thing I have learned is there is nothing sin will give me that is greater than what it will take from me. NOTHING. It is SO important to guard our heart...there is so much truth to that because when we think we are safe that is when the enemy attacks full force and the day after we said "I would never..." is the day we are sitting there saying "I can't believe I just..."
We HAVE to be in the Word daily, soaking it in...memorizing it because this battle we are in is so real. I am living proof that Satan wants to take out God's children. I think we'd be so surprised at the women in just the church (not necessarily ours), but the church in general that have lived this lifestyle in secret from others, but never from God. Satan is so wanting to kill, steal & destroy any possibility of young women in today's society rising up and living their life completely for Christ.
Praise God He is One of mercy & grace. I want my life to be one that is usable for Him to show others that He is the choice you want to make.
When God examines my path I want Him to be able to say Well Done.
This is an incredible Proverb.
A phrase that caught my attention in chapter 5 was "Never take her love for granted!" (v. 19) To me, this was a good reminder not to take my spouse's love or God's love for granted - which i have done. In my mind, taking something for granted means that i ignore it instead of adore it. I starve it instead of nourish it. I've found that when i do that in my marriage, the love that i've committed to (not just felt for) my husband is battered down by the hammering thoughts of the enemy -- "Does he really love you?" "Do you really love him?" The love commitment that i've ignored and starved tries to cry out, "Yes he does! Yes you do!" But if i've taken that love for granted, how will i recognize its voice, how will i recognize its presence in the everyday things my husband does for me, in the truth of God's Word written for me?
How i look back in disdain at the times i've taken the loves in my life for granted, the sacrifice of my Savior for granted. For me, an opposite of taking something for granted is taking some action ... What action in this new year will I take in my love for my family, my husband, for Christ?
Great comments everyone. I believe one evidence of wisdom in our lives is the very fact that we have learned from living what to do and what not to do. If only we could be those that listened first and then did!! BUT human nature is usually not like that. What we can do if we have experienced NOT living with wisdom is to tell as many as we can the truth and pray for wisdom to be part of their lives. God stands with a heart that is willing and pliable to Him. Thanks for being transparent!
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