Proverbs 5:1-7:27
We continued in Proverbs. The predominant topic was the immoral woman, which for us today is the
rampant and repulsive plague of pornography that is sweeping our country. It is
an insidious industry that makes more money annually than all movies and
professional sports combined. It reaches 90% of our men by age 17 and is now
targeting women and children.
Pornography is a perversion of God’s gift of sex. A perversion is
something that has been twisted or changed from its intent. God intended sex
for marriage, but Satan has perverted it to be watched, enjoyed, or practiced
outside of marriage. Thus, Satan uses porn to destroy God’s intent for
individuals, sex, and marriage.
Why is pornography so successful? Simple, it is a
seductive trap. It is seductive in that it uses our own natural desires as bait; and,
once we have been lured into the trap, it is very difficult to escape. In fact,
this particular trap leads us to dead ends in many ways. The purpose of a trap
is to cage or kill something; and, pornography kills one’s thought life,
spiritual growth, individual potential, relationships, and even leads many
people to other sins and crimes (i.e. adultery, divorce, sexual immorality,
rape).
So then, how do we avoid this trap? It is not easy but it can be done.
First, know how it works. All traps have lures, something as bait. The best traps
use our interests or desires against us; fish like worms, mice like cheese, and
wolves like blood. We like to lust. “We are tempted when we are carried away by our own lust, and lust
brings forth sin and sin produces death” (James 1:13-15). Thus, the lure for this trap is our eyes, our
attraction to images on TV, in movies, on our phones and devices, magazines,
etc.; the
bait is lying all around us.
The other hidden bait is a host of lies that accompany the porn trap.
Pornography tells us it’s harmless, it’s natural, no one is watching, we are
alone, it’s not hurting anyone, we will enjoy it, and a little bit won’t hurt
us. However, we must remember that Satan always promises one thing but
delivers another. That’s exactly what Solomon warned us about today. Her ways are
sweet but “as bitter as poison and as sharp as a sword” (5:4, 5). She seduces and
entices those who follow her. They are “like an ox to the slaughter, a trapped
stag awaiting the arrow that will pierce his heart. They are like birds flying
into a snare, little knowing it will cost them their lives. Her house is the
road to the grave; her bed the den of death” (7:21-27).
Daily Reflection
Sooner or later, if he hasn’t already, Satan will attempt to lure you
into this trap. What can you do to avoid it?
Solomon offered some suggestions to avoid the immoral woman in his
day; it is good advice. Stay away from her door. Don’t go down her street. Do what
Joseph did with Potiphar’s wife, run! Run from her! Don’t go near her house; if
you do, you will lose your honor (5:7, 8). The trap cannot catch those who avoid
it. Protect your eyes and protect your mind.
However, there is more to avoiding this trap than staying clear of its
lures. It is all good and well to run from this trap but you need also to run
to something or Someone. Take another tip from James and “Resist the Devil and
he will flee from you; draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (4:7, 8).
With God’s help, you can avoid this terrible trap; and if you are free
from this trap yourself, help others. Our men are dying, our women are
suffering, and our children are next.
BiAY.org | Day 148 — 217 Days to Go
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