The wise words of Solomon to his son speak volumes of how God’s children have to tread cautiously in either the choice of a bride or voluntarily allowing themselves to be dragged away from God’s divine positioning.

As God’s children called to serve his purpose on earth, we should always be mindful of the fact that God is a caring Father who understands the end right from the beginning, is fully knowledgeable of all our ways. He is interested in our lives and wants the very best for us-but He gives us the freedom to make our own choices. He gives us directions how to conduct our lives and amply warns us through His Word about wrong ways, if we take, will lead us to our destruction.

Our creation was planned by God: Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” The moment we were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at our birth; He wanted us alive, and our arrival gave him pleasure. God chose to create us according to His will and He is fully aware of our placement and positioning even before we were formed.  Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 49:5 and Galatians 1:15 -16, throw more light on this.

Even though we are created for God’s purpose, Judges 14:1-3 and the life of Samson gives us a clear picture of the dangers of our own choices and desires rather than what God desires for us. One of the greatest gift God has given us, is the ability to enjoy pleasure. He wired us with five senses and emotions so we can experience it. He wants us to enjoy life within the boundaries He has set for us- one of them being marriage. The idea of the family was on His mind from the beginning when He put Adam and Eve together and a picture of what He intended it to be- love, companionship, relationship, sanctity and enjoyment of each other.

Our text today gives clear warning to those who seek pleasure outside the boundaries of marriage- the dangers of falling prey to adulterous relationships. It is not that God wanted us as men not to speak to women, he wants his children to be meticulously mindful of the lips of an adulterous woman. Smooth talk, flattery of speech which leads one astray are to be discerned and watched out for. Women who have willingly chosen to live strange, act strange and talk strange outside of God’s Word, are referred to as “strange woman” and God warns: “Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the door of her house.” (Proverbs 5:7-8)

We often forget that God has emotions too—God grieves, gets jealous and angry, and feels compassion, pity, sorrow, and sympathy as well as happiness, gladness and satisfaction.  God loves, delights and rejoices. He clearly sees what we do and examines our paths! Remember, He grieves when we go away from His path and spurn His instructions. If we are unwilling to be corrected, the cords of sin will entangle us and result in death- and an eternal separation from God.

Because God is mindful of us and wants his obedient children who have chosen to follow his path, not to fall prey in the hands of adulterous relationships, His voice rings loud and clear, to be cautious and live our lives with discretion.

Thought: Anything we do that brings pleasure to our God and glorify His holy name, is an act of worship with a pleasing aroma, even by out rightly rejecting the pleasure of our own desire and comfort, for His glory.