Searching For Love

I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”

4 Takeaways:

1.) Guard Your Heart:

“I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains.”-Ecclesiastes 7:26A

Seductive - To look at with sexual intentions.

“There are individuals who look at people as a way to satisfy their desires.”

(Example: If you love me you will…)

“Don’t be eager to just give your love to anybody.”

Song of Solomon 2:7 NLT

Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right.

2.) Sexual Sin Leads To Bondage:

“Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.”-Ecclesiastes 7:26B

Why Is Sexual Sin Addictive?

-It provides temporary satisfaction

-It provides a false security.

-It becomes a copping mechanism.

(Personal Example: Masturbation Addiction)

3.) The Lord Designed Sexual Relations To Be Between One Married Man and One Married Woman:

1 Kings 11:3–4 NLT

He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been.

“Women became Solomon’s god.”

Genesis 1:27–28 NLT

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

“Sexual relations is deeper then physical intimacy.”

(Example: The Danger of Soul Ties)

4.) There is Forgiveness Through Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 53:6 NLT

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

Matthew 9:36 NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

“True love starts with having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

(Personal Testimony: “Jesus Christ loves you.”)

Conclusion: Altar Time.

Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 NLT

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral. Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.