Sexual Sin

What is one of the biggest hindrances to faithfulness in the church?

We may say pride, greed, contentment, or many other struggles; yet, one of the biggest problems/burdens is the fleshly desire of people towards the opposite gender.

Yes, there are sins that we might concentrate on, but the sin of the flesh is so available…

Paul warns:

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

This morning, we will pick up with the book of Proverbs chapter 5…

In this text, see the proverb writer giving a warning, an to heed the warning, and a promise.

Let’s take a look at our focal passage:

Proverbs 5:1–14 ESV

1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. 3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. 7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, 10 lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, 11 and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, 12 and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! 13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. 14 I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”

Listen to Wise & Godly Counsel!

Look back with me at our first two verses.

“be attentive”

“incline your ear”

These are words that implore the son to listen to his father’s exhortation.

These are words to garner attention to significant speech.

How often do men hear Godly counsel and yet turn to the wordly exhortation that leads to folly and destruction?

Let’s be real…we can hear the words of a wise and Godly person and if they strike a chord against our will, our passion, our desire… all too often the later wins the battle.

Proverbs 5:2 (ESV)

2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.

The Word is to give the knowledge necessary before one is led towards or chooses indiscretion.

Be Aware of Seducing Schemes

Proverbs 5:3–14 ESV

3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. 7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, 10 lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, 11 and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, 12 and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! 13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. 14 I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

King James Version Chapter 5

Abstain from all appearance of evil

Remain Faithful to Your Bride/Groom

Proverbs 5:15–23 ESV

15 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. 20 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? 21 For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. 22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 23 He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Walking Away, But In...

Take Godly Council

Be Aware of the Enemy

Hold Onto Fidelity