READ: Proverbs 2:16, 5:15-17, 6:26-35, 7:4-5
Sexual purity is
of incredible importance to God, for our relationships and for our own personal
well-being. The book of Proverbs uses some striking words to describe both the
temptation of sexual sin and the destruction that it reaps in our lives. We do
well to consider what God is saying through His Word. We can save ourselves
much hardship!
One of the most
significant parts of sexual sin that’s noted in Proverbs is the reality that it
can seem harmless. The adulteress (or the pornographic website) has “smooth
words” (2:16, 7:5), but she (or he) will lead us to something that we’ll later
regret with great pain. What wisdom is telling us is clear, so why would we
play with fire? Or in the exact words of Proverbs, “can a man carry fire next
to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his
feet not be scorched?” (6:27-28) The purity that God is calling us to is for
our own good, not just for the proper functioning of society.
A powerful aspect
of what we read about sexual impurity in Proverbs is the aggressiveness with which it goes after us. All forms of sexual
impurity are like this! God created us with sexual desires and due to sin, we
are often tempted at this point. However, God is bigger than our sin and our
desires. Perhaps as much in this area, as any other, we will need His help to
stay strong.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Spend
a few moments asking God to show you where sexual purity AND any impurity has
led you in the past. Also ask Him to show you what sexual impurity does for our
society. If there is unconfessed sin, bring it to God and seek to actually
repent.
2.
Spend
some time praising God for His power to help you overcome any temptations to
sexual impurity. Also spend some time interceding for your church and for a
godly view of sexuality to be re-established in our country.
