Sermon on Proverbs 5 1.1

Welcome, everyone. It's a joy to be here with you today. As new believers, you are embarking on an incredible journey, one guided by the wisdom of God. We’re going to look at a part of the Bible called the book of Proverbs today, specifically chapter 5. Proverbs is like a father sharing vital life lessons with his son. Think of it as a map or a guide for navigating the complexities of life.

Proverbs chapter 5 serves as a strong warning, primarily against sexual immorality, but it teaches us much broader lessons about sin in general.

The chapter starts with an urgent call to listen. The father says, "My son, attend unto my wisdom and bow thine ear to my understanding". This isn't just about hearing words; it's about active, intentional listening. It's about receiving and treasuring up God's commands so that you can "regard discretion" and "keep knowledge" with your lips. Wisdom from God is not just head knowledge; it's a practical guide for living a godly life. James in the New Testament reminds us that we need to be "doers of the word," not just hearers.

So, why is this wisdom so important? Because, as Proverbs 5 shows us, sin is always deceptive. It doesn't show you its true, devastating face at the beginning. The strange, or forbidden, woman in Proverbs 5 is used as an illustration of sin's alluring nature. Verse 3 describes her lips as dropping "as in honeycomb" and her mouth as "smoother than oil". Sin presents itself as desirable and appealing. It offers temporary pleasure. It tells lies like, "Everything's gonna work out," or "Look how much fun you're having". These lies can be easily believed. The world around us constantly promotes sin as exciting and acceptable, downplaying its consequences.

However, Proverbs 5 doesn't stop at the sweet beginning. It immediately reveals the terrifying end. Verse 4 says, "But her end is bitter as wormwood, as sharp as a two-edged sword". What starts sweet turns sour in the reflection. It wounds you deeply, cutting like a sharp sword.

Think about a fisherman baiting a hook with a tempting lure. The fish sees the appealing bait, unaware of the sharp hook hidden inside. It bites, drawn by the pleasure, and is then trapped and destroyed. Sin works in the same way; it lures you in with temporary pleasure but ultimately ensnares and destroys you.

Proverbs 5 is stark about the consequences of following the path of sin. Verse 5 warns, "Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold on hell". This sin, and by extension all sin, has a direct tendency towards the destruction of both body and soul. Sin leads to regret, ruin, and eventual despair. You can lose your honour, waste precious time and resources ("give thy honour unto others... give thy years unto the cruel... strangers will be filled with thy wealth"). It can even consume your physical body.

The path of sin wanders aimlessly, and those on it often don't realise where it's truly leading. When a conscience is awakened, there is horror and bitter lamentation. The sinner might look back and think, "How have I hated instruction... my heart despised reproof". Even if they received good counsel from parents or teachers, they "had not obeyed their voice... never inclined their ear". Those who have had godly instruction but ignore it have much to answer for. Sin traps you; you can become so rooted in its habits that your heart is set on doing wrong.

So, how do we protect ourselves from this deadly deception? Proverbs offers remedies and safeguards.

First, we need wisdom. We are called to choose the fear of the Lord, for it is the beginning of wisdom. We must pray and ask God for wisdom. The young person who prays will understand who God is. We need to develop attentive, diligent, obedient listening to God's Word. Hearing the words isn't enough; we must be "doers". Seeking wisdom is like a "treasure hunt," requiring diligent searching, like digging deep for silver or hidden treasures. We need to dig deep into the truths of God's Word because treasures are often found deeper than the surface. We must also claim wisdom's promises found in Scripture, such as the "if, then" promises in Proverbs 2:1-5.

Second, a practical remedy is to get as far away from sin as possible. Proverbs 5:8 says, "Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house". Stay as far away as possible from sin. Don't get close to it or play around with it. Don't test how much temptation you can handle. We must have a great dread and detestation of sin. We must industriously avoid anything that could be an occasion for sin or a step towards it. It's madness to come near the sparks if you have tinder in your nature. Be jealous over yourself and don't be overconfident in your own strength. This might mean getting rid of things that are stumbling blocks, even if they are very dear to you.

Third, Proverbs contrasts the destruction of sin with the beauty and security found in God's design. For those who are married, finding joy and satisfaction in that relationship is a safeguard. Proverbs 5:15 says, "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well". Find your satisfaction within the bounds God has set. Rejoice with your spouse; mutual delight fosters fidelity. This enjoyment of lawful marriage is presented as a remedy against the allure of sin.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, always remember the "God factor". Proverbs 5:21 reminds us, "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings". God sees everything we do. He knows the right path and the wrong paths. This can be a scary thought, knowing that God sees our every move, even our hidden thoughts and temptations. But it is also comforting; He knows our struggles and our desire to follow Him. Awareness that God sees helps us to make right choices. Our lives are completely open before Him.

Choosing wisdom and righteousness is always better than choosing sin. While the devastating effects of sin are real, for those who have fallen, there is hope. The Bible teaches us that God gives grace and forgiveness. We can find redemption and restoration through repentance and faith in Christ.

As new Christians, keep this wisdom from Proverbs 5 in your hearts. Understand that sin is deceptive and its end is destruction. Prioritise seeking wisdom from God's Word, diligently studying it, and praying for understanding. Run far away from temptation and avoid anything that might lead you into sin. For those married, cherish your relationship with your spouse according to God's design. And always live with the awareness that God sees everything. Choose the path of wisdom; it is a better way to live.

Let's strive to serve the Lord with gladness this week.

(Total word count: Approx. 980 words. At 220 words per minute, this is approximately 4.5 minutes. While this doesn't reach a long duration, it comprehensively covers the relevant points and concepts from the provided sources regarding Proverbs 5, making it as long as possible based solely on the source material available.)