24.235 | LORD, LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION | Proverbs 7:5-27 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Proverbs 7:5-27 (ESV)

5 To keep you from the forbidden woman,

from the adulteress with her smooth words.

6 For at the window of my house

I have looked out through my lattice,

7 and I have seen among the simple,

I have perceived among the youths,

a young man lacking sense,

8 passing along the street near her corner,

taking the road to her house

9 in the twilight, in the evening,

at the time of night and darkness.

10 And behold, the woman meets him,

dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

11 She is loud and wayward;

her feet do not stay at home;

12 now in the street, now in the market,

and at every corner she lies in wait.

13 She seizes him and kisses him,

and with bold face she says to him,

14 “I had to offer sacrifices,

and today I have paid my vows;

15 so now I have come out to meet you,

to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.

16 I have spread my couch with coverings,

colored linens from Egyptian linen;

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,

aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;

let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For my husband is not at home;

he has gone on a long journey;

20 he took a bag of money with him;

at full moon he will come home.”

21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;

with her smooth talk she compels him.

22 All at once he follows her,

as an ox goes to the slaughter,

or as a stag is caught fast

23 till an arrow pierces its liver;

as a bird rushes into a snare;

he does not know that it will cost him his life.

24 And now, O sons, listen to me,

and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her paths,

26 for many a victim has she laid low,

and all her slain are a mighty throng.

27 Her house is the way to Sheol,

going down to the chambers of death.

LORD, LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

The father is relating his observation. [v.6] This wicked woman is an expert predator. He summarizes;[v.24-27] The predator is preying the gullible young men.[v.7] A youth can be either a reckless young man like the prodigal son or young Timothy. The naïve victim is oblivious to the danger.[v.8-12] This young man walks smack into the trap. He lacks discernment.[see Psa 1] Paul warns us to abstain from the appearance of evil.[1 Thess 5:22] If you don’t want to taste a bitter fruit, stay away from the devil’s orchard.

The predator’s arrows are her flattering words, surprise, and seductive look[v.10-21]. The unsuspecting victim is following the path towards the slaughter-house. He isn’t forced. He decided for this as deceived.

He is ignorant and oblivious. It will be too late for him to realize his wrong. He is a fool, and he does not take into account that God judges sin. The damage is irreparable and fatal. God can forgive but He does not remove the consequence.

Let’s ponder for a moment. We are all gullible to Satan’s lies, are we not? Prov 14:12 proclaims, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." So we humbly pray before God, “Lord lead us not into temptation.” God does not tempt us. James says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.[James 1:13-14]

Our only safety is in obeying God’s words. And knowing what is right and wrong is by simply listening to God’s words. The words He says are right and should govern all our attitudes and actions in life. His commandments are not restrictions for happiness but protection from miseries.

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