“He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life” (Proverbs 7:22,23).
TEXT — Proverbs 7:6-23
Message
Adultery in contemporary times has become so pervasive that it no longer carries the stigma of guilt and embarrassment that should be associated with it. It has been labelled with more appealing titles such as “affairs” or “relationships,” making it more acceptable in society. However, this does not erase the danger and calamity associated with its negative consequences. Many homes have been broken, lives cut short and reputations and careers destroyed as its aftermath, apart from the grave consequence of eternity in hell for all adulterers.
Today’s passage reveals that the steps to adultery are gradual and sometimes appear innocuous, but are lethal in their consequences. The adulterer is a subtle destroyer, taking advantage of the gullible prey by appealing to their base nature and luring such into the pit of destruction. The passage shows that the “simple” who is devoid of understanding is the prey that is carried away by the sights that dazzle and the tempting sounds of the adulterer.
The adulterers walk the streets and workplaces seductively seeking to entrap the opposite gender. Others come subtly, with gentle and kind dispositions.
To escape the trap of adultery, one must be genuinely saved, fortified through the word of God in the heart, avoid undue intimacy with the opposite gender, and be wary of unsolicited but suggestive gifts and gestures. Such a person must also avoid careless visitations, watching of pornographic videos or pictures on television or social media. Finally, he or she should pray fervently because Jesus encouraged us to “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”
Thought for the day
If you feel you are strong, please remember Samson.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
