Proverbs 31:3
“Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.”
In this verse, the mother’s admonition to her son is to not give his strength to women. The word “strength” here refers to someone having a great deal of influence over you, especially over how you use and expend your strength.
The principle is not simply gender-driven. It warns anyone — man or woman — not to give power to anyone who would have a distorting influence in their life. In particular, the mother admonishes to not give your strength to those who destroy kings. That is, especially cautious if you are a leader.
Leaders … are you paying attention? Be very careful about who you listen to and allow to influence you. Choose your counselors, confidants, and advisers carefully. Why? Because there are “advisers” out there who want to destroy you.
There is a specific warning in this verse about choosing your spouse carefully. Men: Do not give influence to a woman who would lead you in the wrong way. Women: Do not give influence to a man who will lead you in the wrong way.
Bathsheba, the mother of King Solomon, knew from her own sin that it was devastating when a king gives undue influence to women in his life. David chose to give himself and his strength to pursue immorality with Bathsheba. He then sought to cover-up that sin.
In the end, David committed a laundry list of sins including adultery, lying, murder, hypocrisy – and many more because of his infatuation and lust for a woman. This led to disaster in his kingdom, in his family, and in the history of his life.
God’s grace overcame all this as David repented and turned back to the Lord. But oh, what a dark chapter of David’s life was written because of his lust for Bathsheba.
Trust God and be very careful about who you allow to influence you.
