God is watching us!

As I read Proverbs 5, I was wondering whether Solomon wrote this as a metaphor, the adulteress referring to the things of the world that distract us from loving God. I was wondering because he repeats himself so many times on this issue, once more in chapter 6 and again in chapter 7. And I was thinking, wasn't Solomon the King with many wives? To me, it is strange for Solomon to write on an issue like this when he himself was a polygamous king! More interestingly, Solomon was the son of Kind David and Bathsheba - the very person whom King David committed adultery with and hence paid for his sin with his firstborn.

Well, to answer, the first question, the book of Proverbs should be taken as a teaching on the practical affairs of our lives. It is a book that teaches us how to live our lives in the right conduct, our prime motive being the holy fear of the Lord. So, in this context, Solomon WAS talking about avoiding seduction and temptation by the adulteress! It goes to show that things have not changed much since the time of King Solomon. The traps used by the Devil to tempt us into sin are still being repeated day after day in this age. No wonder Solomon felt it important enough to write so strongly to warn us against adultery!

A few things I was reminded of. Keep far away from temptation. Keep away from even the least bit of it. (vs 8, keep to a path far from her.) In other words, do whatever you can that is necessary to avoid it! If you are into pornography, then make sure your computer is in a public space. Make sure you have a filtering system installed on it, or a program that records the sites that you go to and sends them to your accountability partner! If you are smoking, then stay away from the friends who will influence you to smoke. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to a healthy lifestyle. If you are married, don't ever allow yourself to be in a compromising position with someone of the opposite sex. Avoid at all costs social functions/ outings that will give rise to such opportunities.

God takes a very serious position against adultery. He values marriage very highly and rightly so. You know this in the way God often draws a parallel between the relationship of a bride and bridegroom and that between the church and Him. And in chapter 6 vs 33, it is emphasised that his shame (the adulterer's) will never be wiped away. vs 35, He (the husband) will not accept any compensation. Meaning, no form of restitution will be good enough to repay for what was done.

And God is not blind. vs 21, For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. God knows and he is watching. Sin will not go unpunished (vs 22 The evil deeds of a man ensnare him). Sin CANNOT go unpunished. Remember the times when nobody was looking? When you compromised by giving in to sin even though you could feel the conscience of the Holy Spirit pricking you? God saw it all. And it is NOT acceptable unto Him.

I sense the Lord making me check my value system once more. Have I been influenced by the standards of the world so that I have compromised on His standards? Do I think it is "not unusual for Christians to fall into adultery since we are all mere humans and imperfect" and therefore consider it an acceptable evil? Have I become comfortable with the fact that it is normal for pre-marital sex to take place among our young people? Have I even entertained that thought myself? Will I make it a point to stand up to all these SINFUL values when it matters or will I just quietly acknowledge that it is a lost cause anyway.

God detests sin. Sexual immorality is one of those that especially angers and hurts Him. May I grow to hate every shred of the presence of sin in my life so that I might know holiness in Him.


Resources:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, Proverbs - a good online commentary that I found on the book of Proverbs.

Covenant Eyes - A good and cheap internet accountability software.

A+ Premium Filtering - A comprehensive internet filtering program for Christians.