Ephesians 5.3
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
God’s Word and God’s wisdom is what keeps us from being led astray by the seductive strategies of those who seek to deceive us. Proverbs 7 is like an extended commentary on Ephesians 5.3, as it gives clear and direct admonition to avoid the seductions of sexual sin.
“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.” (Proverbs 7.4-5)
The forbidden woman seeks to entice and seduce with promises of sexual pleasure, but people of wisdom see past her seductions and recognize that she speaks “with smooth words” that are meant to deceive and destroy.
“For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.” (Proverbs 7.6-9)
We see many people today behaving with sexual recklessness. They have abandoned God’s standards for sexuality and have adopted the world’s behavior patterns. They are “taking the road to her house,” that is, they are following the path of promiscuity and the spirit of the age.
“And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait.” (Proverbs 7.10-12)
“Wily of heart” means, literally, “guarded of heart.” She is shamelessly revealing in her dress, but she is guarded and reveals nothing of her true motives. She is dressed to be seductive, and she is sneaky, scheming, and streetwise. She knows how to attract your attention.
“She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, “I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.” (Proverbs 7.13-20)
The adulteress is aggressive; the text says “she seizes him.” Many people today have been “seized” by sexual sin and captured by the spirit of the age.
The seductress is so bold, that she openly declares that she has come from worshiping and offering sacrifices. This is a person who professes faith in God! The fellowship (or peace) offering is described in Lev. 3 and 7:11–21. There we see that it is a sacrifice emphasizing the communion one has with God and fellow worshippers. Only a small part of the sacrifice is given to God, while the most edible parts are available to the worshippers.
She promises the delights of love, but what she actually delivers is death.
“With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.” (Proverbs 7:21-27)
Did you catch that? Did you get the warning? “Many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.” The seductress is a deadly serious enemy, and to defeat her requires the full armor of God.
