Sermon on Proverbs 5 1.2

 Welcome, everyone. It is a genuine privilege and a joy to be gathered together today. As new believers in Jesus Christ, you are embarking upon a truly incredible journey, a path illuminated and guided by the boundless wisdom of God. Today, we are going to turn our attention to a particular book in the Bible called Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is often described as a collection of wise sayings, much like a loving father passing on vital life lessons and guidance to his dear son. Think of it as a practical map or an essential guide designed to help us navigate the often complex and sometimes confusing pathways of life. The primary author of Proverbs is King Solomon, who was granted extraordinary wisdom by God Himself. He spoke thousands of proverbs and songs, his wisdom surpassing that of others in his time. These proverbs were often taught within the palace setting, particularly by Solomon to his sons, preparing them for future roles.

Today, we are focusing on Proverbs chapter 5. While this chapter contains a strong warning, primarily directed at sexual immorality, it also teaches us much broader and deeply important lessons about the nature of sin itself and how we can live wisely. We have touched on this chapter before in our series, but there are significant additional lessons here that apply to all of us.

The chapter begins with a very urgent call, an earnest plea to listen. The father says in verses 1 and 2, "My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge". This isn't merely about passively hearing words; it demands active, intentional listening, really turning your ear and applying your mind. It's about receiving and treasuring up God's commands deep within you. The goal is for you to gain discretion, which is the ability to make wise decisions, and to keep knowledge, having God's truth readily available. This wisdom from God is not just intellectual knowledge; it is a practical guide for living a life that honours God. As the New Testament reminds us through James, we are called to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only," actively living out what we learn. Cultivating this wisdom requires intentional effort.

Why is this wisdom so crucially important for us as new Christians? Because, as Proverbs 5 vividly shows us, sin is always deeply deceptive. It never reveals its true, devastating consequences right from the start. The "strange woman," or the forbidden woman, depicted in Proverbs 5 is used as a powerful illustration of sin's seductive and alluring nature. Verse 3 describes her lips as dropping "as in honeycomb" and her mouth as being "smoother than oil". Sin presents itself as something desirable, appealing, and sweet. It offers the promise of temporary pleasure. It whispers tempting lies like, "Everything's gonna work out," or "Look how much fun you're having," or "I can handle this" . These lies are very easily believed . The world around us constantly promotes sin as exciting, glamorous, and perfectly acceptable, while consistently downplaying or outright ignoring its ruinous consequences.

However, Proverbs 5 does not dwell solely on the sweet beginning. It immediately rips back the curtain to reveal the terrifying and unavoidable end. Verse 4 starkly warns, "But her end is bitter as wormwood, as sharp as a two-edged sword". What begins tasting sweet inevitably turns incredibly sour in the harsh light of reality and reflection. Sin wounds you deeply, cutting into your life like a sharp sword.

Think about the illustration of a fisherman baiting a hook with a seemingly delicious and tempting lure. The fish sees the appealing bait, drawn by the promise of a meal, completely unaware of the sharp, deadly hook cleverly hidden inside. It bites, drawn by the temporary pleasure, and is then tragically trapped and destroyed. Sin operates in precisely the same way; it lures you in with the promise of immediate, temporary pleasure but ultimately ensnares you, leads to bondage, and destroys you.

Proverbs 5 is unsparingly clear about the devastating consequences of following the path of sin. Verse 5 warns, "Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell". This particular sin, and by extension all sin, has a direct and unavoidable tendency towards the destruction of both your body and your soul. Sin leads to immense regret, utter ruin, and eventual despair. You can lose your honour, forfeiting it to others. You can waste precious time and resources, giving your best years and wealth to those who have no right to it. It can even consume your physical body, leading to sickness and decay.

The path of sin is described as wandering aimlessly. Those who are on this path often have no real understanding of where it is truly leading them. But when a conscience is finally awakened, it brings horror, bitter lamentation, and self-reproach. The sinner might look back and think, "How have I hated instruction... my heart despised reproof". Even if they were blessed to receive good counsel from parents, teachers, or mentors, they tragically "had not obeyed their voice... nor inclined their ear". Those who have had the immense benefit of godly instruction and yet choose to ignore it have a great deal to answer for. Sin is a trap; you can become so deeply rooted in its habits that your heart becomes stubbornly set on doing wrong.

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

First, we desperately need wisdom. We are repeatedly called throughout Proverbs to choose the fear of the Lord, for it is the very beginning of wisdom. Fearing the Lord involves an intellectual understanding of who God is, what He is like, and His attributes. If young people, or indeed any believer, are going to fear the Lord properly, they need this understanding. We must pray and ask God for wisdom, trusting that He gives it generously to those who ask in faith. The person who prays is the person who will understand who God is and to whom they are praying. We need to develop attentive, diligent, and obedient listening to God's Word. Simply hearing the words is not enough; we must actively receive them and treasure them up. Seeking wisdom is like a "treasure hunt," requiring diligent searching, like digging deep for silver or hidden treasures. The most valuable treasures are often found deeper than the surface, not in a quick "Daily Bread" verse taken out of context. We need to dig deep into the profound truths of God's Word. We must also claim wisdom's promises found in Scripture, such as the "if, then" promises in Proverbs 2:1-5. The Word of God is like living water, constantly refreshing us and helping us spot the lies of sin . We need to run back to it constantly .

Second, a crucial 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". This means 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 or see if it will be as big a deal as you've heard . We must have a great dread and detestation of sin, fearing it like a place infected with the plague and loathing it like carrion. We must industriously avoid anything that could be an occasion for sin or even a single step towards it. If you have tinder in your nature (which we all do), it is madness to come near the sparks on any pretence whatsoever. We must be jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy and absolutely not be overconfident in our own strength. This might mean getting rid of things that are stumbling blocks, even if they are very dear to you, like a right eye or a right hand. Getting far away means not approaching the borders of sin.

Third, Proverbs contrasts the destruction of sin with the beauty and security found in God's design. For those who are married, finding deep joy and satisfaction in that relationship is a powerful safeguard. Proverbs 5:15 says, "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well". Find your satisfaction, your refreshing water, within the bounds and the relationship that God has set and blessed. Rejoice with your spouse, delighting in each other. This mutual delight fosters fidelity. This enjoyment of lawful marriage is presented as a direct and powerful remedy against the seductive allure of sin. While this verse is specifically for the married, the principle applies more broadly: find your satisfaction in God's righteous path and His blessings, not outside of them.

Finally, and perhaps most profoundly, always remember what we call 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 for us, and He knows the wrong paths that lead to problems . This awareness can be a sobering, even scary, thought – knowing that the all-seeing God observes our every move, even our hidden thoughts and temptations. But it is also incredibly comforting for the believer; He knows our struggles, our weaknesses, and our sincere desire to follow Him. Living with the constant awareness that God sees helps us to make right choices, knowing that our lives are completely open before Him. Sin will inevitably lead to ruin because what we plant in our lives will eventually come up .

Choosing wisdom and righteousness is always, without question, a better way to live than choosing sin . While the devastating effects of sin are absolutely real and painful, for those who have unfortunately fallen, there is immense hope. The Bible teaches us that God is full of grace and offers forgiveness. We can find redemption, healing, and restoration through genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

As new Christians, please take this vital wisdom from Proverbs 5 to heart. Understand deeply that sin is always deceptive and its end is always destruction. Prioritise seeking wisdom from God's Word above all else, diligently studying it, and praying for understanding. Run far away from temptation and industriously avoid anything that might lead you into sin. For those who are married, cherish and nurture your relationship with your spouse according to God's beautiful design. And always, always live with the profound awareness that God sees everything. Choose the path of wisdom; it is truly a better, more abundant way to live .

Let us strive together to serve the Lord with gladness this week .

(Total word count: Approx. 1400 words. At 220 words per minute, this is approximately 6.3 minutes.)