He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Seduction Of Wickedness: It’s Persistent,
Determined Pursuit: Prov 7:10-12
10) And, behold, there met him a woman [with] the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11) (She [is] loud and
stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12) Now [is she] without, now
in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
INTRODUCTION:
The consistent
enticement of temptation is being presented to us in the next proverb. Once again, the seductive nature of
temptation is being pictured as the carnal appeal of the prostitute who
promises physical satisfaction while working toward the long term ruin of those
who are misled by her deceit. Because of
this, we not only learn a lesson about the deception and harm of prostitution,
but also of the sinful temptations in general.
EXPOSITION:
10) And, behold, there met him a woman [with] the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
1. Here, temptation is pictured not simply as an
enticing woman that appeals to the carnal nature of man, but especially as a
harlot. A similar types of sinful acts
can be performed with both a woman and a harlot, the great difference is that a
price must be paid to the harlot. Such
is the case of temptation to sin… submitting to a temptation may bring a short
period of fleshly pleasure, but it is gained at a great price.
2.
Temptation is described as a harlot who is “subtil of heart”. The true aim and goal of the temptation is
hidden. The temptation only shows the
pleasurable side of itself, it will not reveal the harmful results of its allurement.
“Moreover the
LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched
forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and
making a tinkling with their feet:
Therefore the Lord will
smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD
will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling
ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon, The chains,
and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
The bonnets, and the
ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and
nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles,
and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
The glasses, and the fine
linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
And it shall come to pass,
[that] instead of
sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead
of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning
instead of beauty. (Isaiah 3:16-24)
11) (She [is] loud and
stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
The
description of temptation continues, she is described as:
1.
She is very easily heard, understood and not easily silenced
2.
She does not recognize a proper time or place for her to exist. She will intervene at the most inconvenient
times and places, never minding her own business nor keeping a proper distance.
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was
cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice
saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our
God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(Revelation 12:9-11)
12) Now [is she] without, now
in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
Finally,
we are told that she…
1. She is out seeking her victims, not waiting
for them to come to her home.
2. She is seeking her victims where they can be
found, many times minding their own business going about their daily tasks.
3. When she spies her victim, she isn’t
transparent and open for all to see, but waits behind the corners and walls for
her victim to innocently come near.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)
In
the above verses, we can easily see the deceitfulness and power of
temptation. From this we can learn of the
need for the Christian to learn about way temptation operates and how to gain
the victory of it. This can only be done by receiving, learning, believing and
applying God’s Word to their life.
Without the guidance of the Word, in conjunction with the intervention
of our Sovereign Lord and leadership of the Holy Spirit, none of us can stand
in her presence.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you
the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)
SUMMARY:
May
we all enter our day realizing the deceitful operations of temptation and the
need to rely upon our Lord, His Word and His Spirit to gain the victory over
the allurements of this world.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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