FOUR WISDOM PRINCIPLES FROM PROVERBS 7 TO FIGHT SINFUL LUST
1
I Must Treasure the Word and Wisdom ( Prov . 7:1-4 )
The father begins by strongly appealing to his son to value wisdom using verbs such as keep , treasure , bind , write , say , and call . These imperatives deal directly with the Word of God and the wisdom found within . The father pleads with his son to value God ’ s “ words ” and “ commandments ” as the very protection of his heart and soul , and that is why he also instructs his son to “ bind them on his fingers ” and “ write them on the tablets of his heart .” It is essential for this young man to treasure God ’ s truth internally if any fruit is to be seen externally .
Matt Papa said , “ We worship our way into sin , and we worship our way out of sin .” In other words , whatever truly has our hearts will determine the direction of our lives . If we stand any chance of winning the battle of lust in our lives , it starts with the state and health of our hearts . Too many men seek to change the external without any attention to the internal . That will never work . This is why the Psalmist said , “ I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you ” ( Ps . 119:11 ). Those men who are devastated by the sin of lust are also the men who have neglected the power of God ’ s Word and wisdom in their lives . It is that simple . Notice I did not say easy , but it is that simple . The heart that is healthy and filled with God ’ s Word and wisdom is the heart that is significantly strengthened in the battle for purity .
2
I Must Watch Out for Weakness ( Prov . 7:6-9 )
After the father has laid down the foundation for the purity of the heart , he warns his son of weakness by telling a story of a young man who lacks sense . We learn three things regarding this young man : He was stupid . He placed himself in the wrong place at the wrong time . He was foolish and allowed himself to be situated where the temptation was the greatest .
Secondly , he was idle . Idleness is a great danger . Boredom is very often the recipe for creative sin . Consider the example of King David . It was the “ time when kings go out to war ” ( 2 Sam . 11:1 ), and David remained at home walking about his palace roof . He neglected his primary duty and found himself looking for ways to pass the time . In his idleness , he wandered into the biggest mistake of his life , resulting in grave consequences for his life and his family . Isaac
Watts correctly said , “ Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do .” We must never underestimate the value of hard work , and be fruitful and productive daily . The scores of young men ( and older ) currently prone to idleness and sloth are alarming . This alone has led many men into the trap of sin and injury .
Thirdly , this young man was vulnerable . He was out at night by the street of the prostitute . What a fool ! This man seeks to convince himself that he can linger around sinful temptation , but somehow , he will not succumb to it . It is the man who stays up late by himself with multiple ways to access the Internet . It is the young man who refuses to delete the social media app that has ruined his heart for years . It is the man who continues to pursue the relationship that repeatedly results in sexual sin and has been the greatest factor in his loss of true love for Jesus Christ .
This is when we must take sin as seriously as Jesus did , admit to our great vulnerability , and apply practical wisdom to our lives . Jesus said , “ If your right eye causes you to sin , pluck it out ” ( Mark 9:47 ). Notice the severity of Jesus ’ instructions regarding the dangers of sin in our lives . Jesus ’ words seem harsh and over-the-top , yet this is exactly how Jesus commands us to respond to the sin that seeks to destroy us . We must take drastic action to protect ourselves from vulnerability to sin that has destroyed so many men , marriages , and families . I implore you to set boundaries and fences throughout your life . I fully understand that boundaries and fences do not change the heart , but they are practical steps of wisdom that often give the heart a chance to become stronger in Christ .
3
I Must Wake Up and Get Serious ( Prov . 7:10-20 )
These somewhat shocking verses detail an aggressive pursuit of sin by the adulteress toward the young man , but notice the clarity the Holy Spirit provides as to the intention of sexual sin in our lives .
Sinful lust wants to ambush you ( vv . 10-12 ). The adulteress is dressed to kill , attack , and promote sexual thought through fantasy . She is loud , aggressive , and bold . The text says , “ She does not stay at home .” She is not a homemaker but a homewrecker . She is in the street , the market , “ and at every corner , she lies in wait .” Do you see what sin does ? Sin lies in waiting , in ambush . The sin of lust , in particular , lies ready and waiting to pounce on its next victim . This sin is ubiquitous in our day . Every billboard , commercial , and
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