Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Psalm 42 and Proverbs 5

Written by a father for his sons, Proverbs 5 describes the danger of being enticed into sexual sin by an “immoral woman” with her luscious lips and enticing physical assets. This does not mean that somehow women are the problem, being inherently immoral and leading poor, innocent men astray. If written for a daughter, it would no doubt have referenced an immoral man with his broad shoulders, charming smile and flattering words.

The point of this wise chapter is a deadly serious warning: Satisfying your sexual urges outside of your covenant of marriage may seem harmless and feel wonderful in the moment, but it is as dangerous as a double-edged sword. It is a sure step along the pathway to emotional (v.9a), relational (v.9b), financial (v.10), physical (v.11) and social (v.14) devastation. The closing verse warns that the immoral man “will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.”

We would all do well to heed this warning. We live in a sexually charged society where satisfying one’s sexual desires has attained idolatrous status and standards of sexual purity, sexual chastity and sexual holiness are anathema and perceived as “repressive”. The ungodly world is preaching a gospel of “sexual freedom”. But the Word of God warns us that this “freedom” is nothing more than the freedom to hurt ourselves and others, to ruin our lives and to forego the good, pleasing and perfect plan God has for our sexuality.

The author of the Proverbs (inspired by the Holy Spirit) recommends that we pay attention to the warning, stay far away from the triggers of lustful temptation, and then commit ourselves to being captivated by – and delighting in physical, sexual intimacy with – our covenant spouse.

Depending on your life-situation, please adapt the following prayer accordingly:

Heavenly Father, thank You for … the spouse You gave me to share my life with before death separated us / the spouse with whom I share a covenant of marriage / the spouse You have planned for my future / Your beautiful call of singleness … Please help me to believe and trust Your plan for my sexual holiness and fulfilment, to flee immorality, and to find all of my truest “fountains” of life and delight in You and Your ways of living. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.