Daily Reading: Proverbs 5
Scripture Focus: Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner. (Proverbs 5.8-10)
Devotional Thought: King Solomon – a known womanizer, whose appetite for women led him away from his firm devotion to God – wrote this chapter for his son. Speaking from first-hand experience, he knew how an undisciplined sex drive could bring great heartache. He wanted to spare his son from the same pain he had to go through.
Sin destroys lives! Sexual sins destroy families. I know of many people who have traded the joys of parenting, grand-parenting and financial security for the temptation of sexual sin. Solomon said it so eloquently. When you commit sexual sin you are in danger of giving “honor to others and your years to the merciless... Strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner.”
Solomon told his son to keep far away from sexual sin. Don’t even go near its door. What does that look like for today’s generation?
Pornography is often the first area of temptation today. We must build safeguards around our online habits. Become accountable to someone else. Give your spouse (or another person who you trust) full access to your computer and phone. And, when the pop-ups pop up, click out!
On line relationships have ruined more than their fair share of marriages. Never have secrets. Don’t even begin conversations with someone who might end up being a temptation.
Flirtatious behavior must be avoided like deadly viruses. Don’t even play around.
Take care to avoid the very appearance of evil. Even innocently putting yourself alone with a member of the opposite sex is a danger to avoid!
Things haven’t changed in 3000 years. The destruction caused by sexual sin is still just as costly. Strong warnings to avoid it are needed for our generation more than ever before!
Prayer: Lord, confusion and lies abound when it comes to sexual sins. Help me to know the truth that is in your Word, and may that truth set me free from the sin and destruction of immoral behavior. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 4.1-8
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!"
7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
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