LOITERING INTO SIN

Proverbs 7.6-23
LOITERING INTO SIN
All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose.

THREE WARNINGS HAVE BEEN SOUNDED against the snare of the adulterous woman: 2.16-19; 5.1-20; 6.20-35. This is now the fourth and by far the most graphic study of the temptress' snare and her victim's fate as told by an observer.

First, we see the victim. We are told in three quick verses who he is, what he is doing and at what time of the day (7.7-9). He is a young man with a vacant mind, he is loitering along the street, and it is getting dark. Here is nothing less than a picture of a man courting sin. An English proverb says, "The devil tempts all but the idle man tempts the devil."

Then along comes the seductress. She is a married woman but the street is her home (v. 11). She lurks in street corners to lure her prey. She is crafty, especially with her words. In fact, this is the singular trait mentioned again and again of the adulteress. She speaks "seductive words" (2.16), her lips "drip honey" and her speech is "smoother than oil" (5.3). She has a "smooth tongue" (6.24), and uses "persuasive words" and "smooth talk" (v.21).

She has everything ready. She has just made offerings to God. She is clearly immoral, but hides her immorality beneath a veneer of religion. Her bed is bedecked with imported linens, and perfumed with exotic spices. Her husband has gone away on business and won't be back for some time. There is food, bed and privacy. For the perfect victim, she lays a fool-proof trap. He thinks he is going into the pasture to graze, but he is going in for the slaughter.

Today, there are still men who "loiter" into sexual indiscretion. Seldom do they seek out an adulteress, or plan to have an illicit affair. They simply allow themselves to be led into one. Unless a man has already resolved in his heart against sexual promiscuity, he may be deciding for it. When the temptation comes, those who have not already said "No," may find themselves saying "Yes." No one has yet bettered Joseph's strategy against the adulteress, namely, run (Gen 39.12)!

Women are not exempted from sexual liaisons. They may not intend to get involved. Ladies who offer their sympathetic ears and unstinted time to men with marital woes are playing temptresses without knowing it. However noble the motive may be, no woman should come between a man and his wife. Of course, this applies also to the man coming between a woman and her husband. None of us wants to be an adulterer or adulteress.

Are my relationships free from sexual indiscretion?