Job knew before the law ever came into being that “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or I have lurked at my neighbor’s doorway,” it would be a “lustful crime” and “an iniquity punishable by judges.” He also knew that such sexual sin is a “fire that consumes” and that it has a devastating financial impact as well “uproot all my increase.” Job 31:9-12
God said through Nathan the prophet to King David re: his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband that he “despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight” II Sam. 12:9 and later in vs. 10, “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me….” God says the “man after His own heart” “despised Him”. Very strong language.
One of the fruits that comes from seeking and receiving the wisdom God desires to give us is “to deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words….; Nothing short of faithfully observing the process of vs. 1-4 will enable us to receive and incorporate that kind of wisdom and discernment that protects us from the evil that vs. 12-18 talks about. (cf. 5:1,2 & 7:1-4 re: this process). God knows this will be a snare for men especially in their 20’s to 50’s; and is preemptively providing the way of escape.
King Solomon writes these chapters as both one who fell for these snares of loose women, and thus who can write from experience; and as one who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to help young men avoid these traps. He speaks of it in nine different chapters. While we have no record of him committing adultery, he appeared to be in bondage to marrying as many women as he could.
Solomon does not mince words on the devastating consequences of sexual sin/adultery. “None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life…. But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.” Prov. 2:19, 22 “But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” Prov. 5:4 “Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life.” Prov. 7:22,23 see also Prov. 5:9-14
One of the antidotes for married men to avoid this snare of sexual perversion with immoral women and adultery is an active, consistent, meaningful sexual relationship with their own wife. We are literally commanded to be enthralled with our wives sexually “at all times” (5:15-19)
Another tip Solomon gives is that of ruthless avoidance of any compromise or carelessness. Listen to his exhortation in 5:8 “Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house…”
Websites: sexaddict.com purelifeministries.org pureintimacy.org sexualintegrity.org conquerseries.com