Prov. 5, Self-Control (5)

We mentioned that “knowledge” is important to self-control.  We need to consider things.  We need to see the issues of life in the truth.  I want to use Prov. 5 is an illustration of this.  I mentioned in the last post how this chapter contains knowledge that will help us in applying self-control to the issue of pornography.  I am saying that a man (this is particularly a “male” issue) needs to know the truth about porn.

·       First, adultery, whether in deed or thought (Mt. 5:28, this is where porn comes into the subject) is an attempt to be satisfied sexually without your wife.

·       5:2: Sex within marriage shows you have discretion.  Thus, adultery is stupid and lacking judgment.

·       5:3: Adultery/pornography/prostitution, etc. seems sweet going into it but …

·       5:4: in the end it is bitter and destructive to your soul …

·       5:5: and yes, it is one of the “benefits” on the road to death and destruction.

·       5:6: This path puts you on unstable ground.  It cannot/will not be good for you.

Let’s take a break for a minute, now that you know how we are dealing with this passage.  What we are saying is that what we just said in v2-6 is true.  It is knowledge that needs to be part of your “renewed” mind ((Rom. 12:2).  This is the Bible, God’s word.  This is how we must think.  Sexual sin involves many strong “excuses” that are lies.  If you go down that path it simply will not offer what you think it will.  Pay attention to my wisdom (5:1).  Do not depart from the words of my mouth (5:7).

·       5:8: Intentionally remove your path far from her.  Don’t even get close.  In the matter of porn, you must consider what entices you to take that path.  Then you must order your daily life in a way that steers far from this destructive activity.

·       5:9: Failure in this area takes something that makes you special (God created a Male and a Female to fill the earth with people created in His image) and throws it away.  The results will go on for years.  It is not just a phase that young men go through.  It will affect later attempts to have a pure marriage.  It will result in a jaded view of all women.

·       5:10: To Israel (God’s people) we see that immorality weakens a man so that he become subservient to those who are not God’s people (aliens).  Think about it: who gets wealthy off of porn, sexually explicit movies, etc.?

·       5:11-14: Without question, you will regret this immoral choice!  You will recognize your obstinance; yet it will be too late.  You will know how ruined you are, even if those around you (the assembly and congregation) don’t see it.

·       5:15: Instead, save yourself for your wife.  This relationship can be as satisfying as water from the well or spring.

·       5:16-17: Don’t make your sex life something to share with others.  Jealously guard it as something between you and your wife.

·       5:18: Allow your marriage to grow from the time you are first married.  Porn (movies, magazines, internet, wherever it arises) only serves to give you examples of the unbridled lust of the world.  It does not teach better sex; it distorts sex.

·       5:19-20: Enjoy God’s provision for your desires.  Your spouse is yours without sin (Heb. 13:4).  Another woman who would engage in immorality is herself immoral and is deceiving you.

·       5:21: You are accountable to God.  We can talk about being accountable to other humans but that is always iffy.  We will tend to lie or cover up or deny or fail to see the true issues as well as the danger of bringing others down with us.  No creature is hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Heb. 4:13).  This is a fact!

·       5:22: And you can be sure, even if we hide our sins from every human, we will still suffer the perfect consequences.  God will not be mocked!

·       5:23: You are a fool to disregard this.  To be “astray” is to miss the mark (sin), to transgress (violate God’s law), and is a choice to dwell in the culture of death. 

In our study of self-control, what we are saying is that being armed with knowledge such as this (i.e. with the truth in our minds) is essential to the control of the Holy Spirit.