Proverbs 5
Introduction:
Today I continue my thoughts about wise living by addressing our relationship to our sexuality and who our mate should be (what we say, and why we say).
I point us back to the first week I began this study on wisdom by reminding you that out of the 30 chapters in proverbs (over 1/3), chapters 1-9 focus on the need to understand, appreciate and seek after wisdom.
Out of these 9, 2 whole chapters (5,9) are given to us about avoiding immoral sin (specifically as it relates to anyone attaching themselves (sexually) to anyone other than whom the Lord has given us as our spouse/mate.
Question
: Who is this “immoral” woman? What does that mean?
Immoral
(adj) characterized by conflicting with traditionally (biblical) held moral principles; sinful or impure.
Immorality
(n) the quality or state of being immoral; an immoral act or practice.
Matthew 15:19
“For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.”
(NLT)
The Greek word used for immorality is the same word that is used for adultery which is
porneia
.
porneia
{por-ni’-ah}
Meaning:
1) illicit sexual intercourse 1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18 1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,12 2) metaph. the worship of idols.
Transition
: Before I look at some facts pointed out in the proverbs about illicit sexual behavior, let me answer the question as to why God instituted marriage and why it’s so important.
Genesis 1:27
“So God created human beings
1
in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
(NLT)
Genesis 2:18
“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
(NLT)
Exception? God has called some to be single.
1 Corinthians 7:7-9
“But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. But God gives to some the gift of marriage, and to others the gift of singleness.
8
So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows — it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am.
9
But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust.”
(NLT)
Celibacy
is a gift….it is a calling and it is very unique!
Celibacy
(from
Latin
, cælibatus”) is the state of voluntarily being unmarried,
sexually abstinent
, or both, usually for religious reasons.
Because part of our God given, God created make-up is sexual in/by nature, to be able to abstain and refrain has to be a gift that God provides and empowers.
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
(NLT)
Question
: But why do we need a paper? We’re monogamous! What’s the big deal? God knows my heart!
Why the paper?
Across America the institution of marriage is being assailed, reduced to nothing more than a sentimental ceremony between consenting adults, radically redefined, or simply abandoned altogether. With the long-term viability of marriage in question one must ask: Is the Judeo-Christian concept of marriage really that important? Absolutely, and perhaps there is a greater need now more than ever to understand why.
The Judeo-Christian concept of marriage is as old as mankind. It has served as the very foundation of civilization itself. The marriage covenant is singularly unique in civilization; for marriage is not just a civil union between two people, rather it is an emotional, physical and spiritual union between one man and one woman.
Emotional
in the sense that these two people, male and female, each with different attributes, join together in life; each assisting the other, nurturing and caring for one another, affirming and guiding one another – in essence, completing the other.
Physical
in the sense that marriage is procreative – two separate biological beings blending together to create what neither can create on their own: children.
And lastly,
spiritual
in the sense that we are made for this partnership that places the interest of the other (or others in the case of children) above self – a relationship that ultimately mirrors God’s sacrificial love toward each of us and His bride: the church.
By making marriage ‘official’ as Christians we are proclaiming that:
Transition
: Back to our text in Proverbs 5 and Proverbs 7.
Question
: What is the challenge / wisdom presented to us.
STAY AWAY FROM HER!
Transition
: The second element is this (from Prov. 5)
Application
: It doesn’t say, neglect, get tired of, ignore, belittle, forget or cast away but rather pursue, enjoy and rejoice.
10 Simple But Powerful Ways to Court Your Spouse In Everyday Moments
– Written by Only You Forever Publications.
Even beyond teasing, another article pointed out that couples who engage in novel activities that are fun, active, or otherwise arousing – from hiking to dancing to travel to card games – enjoy higher levels of relationship quality.
From Ephesians 5:21 33
Application
: Don’t let anyone love your wife more than you do!
Application
: Don’t let anyone respect, appreciate and value your husband more that you do!
Conclusion
: There is a wisdom in dealing with whom God has made us as humans that desire and enjoy the deepest type of intimacy available to us.
God has a way and a plan for how to live wisely in our relationship
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