SF036 - A Plea For Purity (Pro 5)
Proverbs 5:1-ff (21-23)
INTRODUCTION:
A very popular subject - SEX.
However, what I have to say is not very popular. I want to speak to you on the matter of purity.
Recent statistics tells us a lot about the popularity of this subject.
Ø -80% of college students say religion is important in their lives.
Ø -55% had attended church or synagogue in the month preceding the survey.
Ø -69% do not believe that pre-martial sex is wrong.
Ø -56% approved of living together in trial marriages.
Ø -75% had engaged in sex.
Ø -50% have had more than one partner.
Ø -25% had five or more partners.
Ø -25% were still virgins.
Solomon presents the advantages of living a pure life.
All of God's laws and regulation these exist in order to protect and enrich our lives.
When God says "Flee fornication," and "You shall not commit adultery," God is not trying to keep sex from us. He is trying to keep sex for us,
1A. THE DIRECTIONS WE SHOULD HEED (5:1,2)
1B. Give attention = "to prick up the ears"
To wisdom = Jesus is the source of all wisdom!
James 1:5 (NASB) 5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
2B. Listen = "to stretch, or spread out" (Psalm 119:9-16)
Key Words...
“Live” (9)
“Seek” (10)
“Hidden” (11)
“Teach” (12)
“Recount” (13)
“Rejoice” (14)
“Mediate” (15)
“Delight” (16)
2A. THE DECEPTION WE SHOULD AVOID (3-6)
The Devil is always deceptive in his methods.
He will use three major weapons to break down your defense and to rob you of your purity.
1B. Emotional involvement (6:23-24)
Beware of flattery!
“Flattery is like perfume, It’s all right to sniff it, but you are not supposed to swallow it.”
Most relationships are built on emotional not spiritual grounds.
2B. Physical Allurement (6:25a)
Physical beauty will leave
“Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes all the way to the bone. Beauty fades, but ugly holds its own.”
Spiritual beauty will last
(1 Peter 3:3‑4) Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. {4} Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
3B. Sexual Enticement (6:25b)
Pictures flirtation
Flirtation invites action
True love always waits (Genesis 29:20)
3A. THE DISTANCE WE SHOULD GO (7,8)
1B. We must refuse to give temptation any opportunity (7,8)
2B. We must run from any compromising situation
(1 Corinthians 6:18) Flee from sexual immorality. ...
(2 Timothy 2:22) Flee the evil desires of youth, ...
“He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places”
3B. We must remember the consequences of our sin (6:27)
(1 Corinthians 6:9‑10) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders {10} nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
4A. THE DAMAGE WE MAY SUFFER (9-14)
1B. Loose your Home (9-10)
These verses picture the heartbreak of a broken home.
Stats show that couples who live together before marriage are much more likely to end in divorce.
2B. Loose your Health (11)
New cases of STDs in 1992
Chlamydia - 4 million
Trichomoniasis - 3 million
Gonorrhea - 1.1 million
Human papilloma virus - 1 million
Genital herpes - 500,000
Hepatitis B - 200,000
Syphilis - 120,000
Cases of AIDS in 1993
~350,000
3B. Loose your Honor (12-14)
(Proverbs 6:32) But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
(Proverbs 22:1) A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
4B. Loose your Happiness (22)
Sin is a terrible task master
5B. Loose your Hope (23)
To die without discipline is to die without God.
5A. THE DESIGN THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW
1B. A Monogamous Lifestyle (v.15)
God's Plan is "one man, one wife, one love through life."
2B. A Marvelous Love Life (v.18,19)
(1 Corinthians 7:5) Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self‑control.
Statistics show that married women who described themselves as "strongly religious" were far more likely to describe their sex lives as highly satisfying than were their non-religious counterparts.
APPLICATION
How Can You Stay Pure...
1. Make a commitment to stay pure no matter what!
2. Weigh the consequences beforehand.
3. Keep the home fires burning
4. Guard your heart, daily.
(Proverbs 4:23) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
5. Correct your course immediately!