Title: “No Such Thing As A Secret”
Scripture Read: Proverbs 5
Key Verse: “ 21 For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21
Observations:
A whole chapter is given here to the wisdom of keeping from prostitutes, another man’s wife, and anyone who is not your spouse. While this was written to a male audience, this verse universally applies to women as well. Why this much on this topic? It seems over the hundreds and thousands of years since this was written, not much has changed. The basic DNA of humanity has not changed. It is a critical matter in the character of a person. When discretion goes out the window, so goes the man, the family, the community, the society. So many people think they can get away with adultery. If it is secret, they think they aren’t accountable. But all of these things are done in full view of the Lord. It will be found out. It is quite intimidating actually to think God is examining all my practices with great interest and detail. He sees everything. There is a difference that happens when the person lives with no secrets, understanding everything is subject to the full view of God. It is clear this isn’t about legalism either. It is about respect, common sense and the goodness of finding a wife, a faithful companion to love.
Applications:
I know people right now who are caught up in this treacherous way of life. No one wins in the end. The 2nd spouse leads to the 3rd and more indiscretion abounds. Here is common sense for my life. Run from indiscretion, even the appearance. This means I never deliberately put myself in awkward situations, I don’t do lunch alone with women. I don’t do coffee with women. I don’t ride in cars alone with another woman. If I am not there, it can’t happen. This is common sense for us as men. If a woman makes a pass at me, I walk away. There are no secrets. Purity is accomplished one day at a time. I have only this day to live the wisdom of Proverbs 5, moment by moment with integrity and honesty. No matter what the past held, today is an opportunity for faithfulness.
Prayer:
Lord, may you keep me from those women who would seek my destruction. Guard my eyes and mind and thank you for a wife that loves and honors me daily.
The Burning Questions:
When are you most tempted to cheat on your spouse, what do you do when that moment happens? What do you think about Proverbs 5:11 “At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent”?
All throughout the Bible we know that ‘nothing is hidden from God’ that everything that we try to hide will come out to the open one day, if we think that our dirty clothes will stay in a pile… we are so wrong. We have too many examples of this behavior in this day and age unfortunately. What surprises me throughout this passage is that Solomon (I am not sure if this is Solomon’s writing or not) himself was one of those men who did exactly that: 6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house.
He went through life being the wisest man alive, but concerning to women he wouldn’t listen, he wouldn’t obey God, and that was his fall after all. He got involved with women of other cultures (which was not that bad) until he started following and worshiping other gods, he built idols, etc. an abomination to the one and only God. We have to understand that curses like this one go through generations and generations, when it would be easier and so more full filling to follow God’s word and bless our generations to come. Yes, now we have the grace of Jesus and once we come to Him and repent, our sins are thrown to the bottom of the sea and we are forgiven. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any consequences for our actions. Let’s start doing the right thing, let’s start behaving like real followers of Christ, let’s leave a legacy of Blessings to our future generations.
I applaud what you are doing, that is exactly what every married man & woman should do! It only takes a second glance!!!! I hope to find a christian man (one day) that thinks and behaves that way too.
Let’s hope those ‘secrets’ come out so we can be free of sin, with a renewed mind and a strong spiritual life, close to God and very far away from our sinful nature.
(by the way, I am taking an early lunch to post this! LOL)
Awesome post Pastor Josh. I am reading through Proverbs 12 times this year and it is fresh and applicable each time. I appreciate your thoughts. Keep them coming.