In Proverbs 5:1-6 Solomon lovingly warns against the type of person who might lead someone into an affair…
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
turn your ear to my words of insight,
that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.
For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.”
This is such a vivid description of sin’s allure. A person’s words can seem so appealing – dripping like honey, and smoother than oil. We are so easily drawn into flattery and beautiful words, especially when we are crying out for attention and praise.
But sometimes the people that sound the smoothest are the most destructive. Their feet “go down to death”. These people that lead us away from truth appear wise and wonderful in the beginning, but later, after they are done with us, they leave a really bad taste in the mouth, and the consequences of trusting them can destroy us.
And the sad thing is, they don’t even know what they’re doing half the time.
But whatever path we’ve followed, there is always hope. In God. His ways will set us free. His love will guide us back.
Proverbs 2:1-11 says:
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”
I love the way these verses describe our active (not passive) role in the pursuit of true wisdom and understanding. If we want life to the fullest, we need to seek it. Let’s open our bibles, do our research, and simply ask the One who IS wisdom – Christ Jesus, in God – to reveal Himself to us. Because His path is the path of life, not death; understanding, not ignorance; victory, not defeat; protection, not abandonment.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:13)
It's a God thing... 
Amen! Great post! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
I love how you show us He is the answer, Ali! God bless you and all the wisdom He has laid up for you!
Thank you Debbie! And blessings back at you as you seek His face daily x
Hi Ali.
Thank you for this post. Sin can be so alluring. I really don’t know why I fall for it. I don’t why I succumb to it’s smooth words. It is so frustrating! But what you said is so true, “in whatever path we have followed there is hope”. I really needed to hear that today. I continually mess up and some days I feel like God has had enough which is not true but there is hope. I need to continually fight but not in my strength but in God’s. I need to actively seek Him! Thanks.
Rolain.
Hi Rolain
Thank you for writing, I’m glad it was helpful. I understand exactly what you mean as I’ve been there. Sometimes it felt like I was caught in sin’s stranglehold with no hope of an escape. I was burdened and ashamed, and there never seemed a way out. But one day I shared my struggle with someone trustworthy and both of us prayed hard against Satan’s schemes. God gave me strategies to attack the thoughts head on, and bit by bit I became free. They didn’t have a hold over me anymore. I have rarely looked back in that area of struggle. But it’s not easy, and we all struggle sometimes. And yes there is hope, in Christ. Praying for your freedom and release now. God is walking beside you in this.
In Christ,
Ali
Hi Ali
Wow. That is great advise. i have been procrastinating when it comes to getting help. I will work on that. I am glad to know it is a process and it can be done. Thanks again and God bless.
Rolain.
Good post 🙂
Thank you Matt 🙂 I appreciate you reading my blog.
I like how you laid out the situation and then pointed to the solution in scripture. When entangled in sin, it is hard to see anything besides what is. Getting free seems impossible, but this scripture tells us otherwise. That is comforting to know.
Hi Janna, thanks for saying so. So true, we can feel entangled by it, without hope. Yes, freedom is possible!
Amen to this…great post.
Thank you Brian. May God bless and fill your day 🙂
I really liked what you had to say about opening our Bibles and doing our research. I’d like to share this very important Christian video with you by the renowned Professor William Lane Craig. It explains our Biblical responsibility to reach out to the lost, I’d love to hear what you thought:
Thanks for that Jason – it’s so important to give an answer to people from Scripture isn’t it. And for our actions to match up to what we quote. Thanks for this, very interesting. He makes some great points doesn’t he?
Well said. Thank you for posting.
Thank you, appreciate you dropping by and reading it.
Dear Ali, I think it’s admirable that you’re tackling such an important issue. The little ego in us which loves to be admired and stroked. And yet what a high price to pay for a moment of basking in sweet words. I think the command to “flee from evil” is something we should pay close call to. I think it first starts in our thoughts and flourishes in our hearts if we are not vigilant. I believe the best form of self-control is to never surround oneself in a potentially dangerous situation, trusting in our own self-will and discipline. Walk away. Nip it in the bud. Don’t play with fire and hope it won’t devour. Works with a bar of chocolate. Works with a smooth talker. Keep looking at that chocolate, you can be sure, you’re going to want to eat it. Thanks for the post. Many hugs, Sharon
So true Sharon! Yes, I think that’s real wisdom. Trusting our instincts and walking away at the first hint of temptation or desire for something that ultimately won’t satisfy. And instead, embracing the one that truly will satisfy our deepest desires.
So lovely to hear from you, thanks so much for reading and writing.
Hugs back at ya,
Ali
Very encouraging to find Godly bloggers, great post!
Thank you!!