Proverbs 6:27-35 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 6:27-35, which read, 

v.27-29 - Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?  Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?  So is the one who goes in to his neighbor's wife; whoever touches her will not go unpunished.

Solomon is spending a lot of time and words on addressing sexual sin.  He is going to make a comparison today to another sin and show the difference between the consequences of different types of sin.  It doesn't make one better or worse than the other in the eyes of God, sin is sin, but the outcomes to us have different affects on us.  Sexual sin has huge consequences that the committer of the sin will experience.

These verses are probably where we get our common phrase, "You are playing with fire."  Those who practice sexual sin and it is sin because it goes contrary to God's one holy sexual relationship, will get burned.  We see this in these verses because the relationship is not with his wife but his neighbor's wife.  There will be punishment for those who go outside of God's created design.  The man in the proverbs is taking in, walking upon, going in, and touching what he is not suppose to.  He is not a passive participant in this sin but an active one because it is the result of desires within being cultivated to outward practices that will not be overlooked by our active, not passive, God. 

v.30, 31 - Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry; but when he is found, he must pay sevenfold; he must give all the substance of his house.

Here comes Solomon's comparison between two types of sin.  The thief, the sin of stealing, has some compassion from others if he is starving and he sees this as the only way to live.  The sin of stealing is still there and the consequence is also still there to repay what has been stolen.  Sevenfold is pretty steep but is the requirement for the pay back from someone who steals. So if the item was $10.00 dollars then the repayment would be $70.00 dollars.  The thief could end up selling all he has to repay to be right in the eyes of those he has wronged.  How does this compare to the sin of a sexual nature? 

v.32-35 - The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; he who would destroy himself does it.  Wounds and disgrace he will find, and his reproach will not be blotted out.  For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.  He will not accept any ransom, nor will he be satisfied though you gave many gifts.

The sevenfold return of the value of stolen goods does not work for the one who commits sexual sin.  The husband of the woman is going to try to destroy you.  There is no pity for you because you were starving for something and took it, you stole it, from someone who was not yours.  The results of the sin are very different.

God forgives the sin of adultery but the world and especially those who are involved always do not.  You can be as sincere in your remorse and repentance but it might be something that you carry to your grave with not having peace with your neighbor like you have peace with God.  He or she may never forgive you even though you now live a model Christian life and shower him or her with many gifts of expressed remorse.  It is a sin that brings un-satisfication from others that could be permanent even with you living a now near perfect changed life that is following the path of the wisdom and off of the way of the foolish.

Solomon will extend into the next chapter with this theme.  He is not done talking to his sons about the dangers of sexual sins.  He is talking to us today in the world that we live in.  The opportunity to feed ungodly inward desires are prevalent and there is a great need to actively guard our eyes, hearts, and minds.  Watch for any straying from God's design and repent immediately to not allow it to grow into something that has permanent consequences with you and others.  Let's pray. 

"Lord, we can't say that watching this show that has shady parts in it won't affect me.  We can't say that phrase, 'I can look but I just won't touch' because the looking is touching with our minds.  Help us to see how to guard what is precious to You, a man and a woman committed to one another for life, like You committed Your whole life for us.  A man leaving his father and mother to be joined to his wife and You leaving Your heavenly home to be joined to us, the church, the followers of You through Your action on the cross.  You have created what is good and may we desire that today.  Amen."

Pastor Adam

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