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Bible Pathways 7/21/2001



July 21

Read Proverbs 4 -- 7

Believers in both the Old and New Testaments are likened to the Bride of Christ; thus it follows that sexual gratification other than within God-ordained marriage of a man and woman is spiritual adultery against God. Sexual sins are so deceptive that more space is given in Proverbs to warnings of their wickedness than any other sin, since sexual sin defiles our body which is the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). The warnings are in the Book of Proverbs in all of chapter 5; 6:23-35; all of chapter 7; 9:13-18; and 22:14. God reveals the only sure way of safety is found when wisdom enters into your heart . . . discretion shall preserve you . . . to deliver you from the . . . woman . . . which flatters (seduces) with her words; who forsakes the guide of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. For her house inclines unto death . . . None that go unto her return again, neither take hold of the paths of life (2:10-11,16-19). Indulging in a sinful relationship may provide momentary physical pleasure, but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell (5:4-5).

We are again warned: Remove your way far from her (the adulteress), and come not near the door of her house: Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel . . . And you mourn (are full of sorrows) at the last (after it is too late), when your flesh and your body are consumed (5:8-11). The fool eventually cries out: Why have I hated instruction (from God), and my heart despised (His) reproof! (5:12). It is an inescapable fact that by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life (6:26). Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul (6:32). God is warning that disastrous results are inevitable: He goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool (7:22), who is blindly deceived and "imagines" various excuses to justify self-gratification. Some assume that adultery or fornication is an acceptable way of life when it occurs between consenting adults; but God says: Be not deceived: neither fornicators . . . nor adulterers . . . shall inherit the Kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-10) .

Satan instills evil thoughts. Sin begins as we dwell upon those thoughts. Therefore, we must bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).

Anyone who has been deceived by Satan should pray for forgiveness, for whoever forsakes his sins shall find mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Moral stability and strength to resist temptation come as we read and obey the whole Word of God. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (of Heaven). For without are dogs (homosexuals), and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Revelation 22:14-15).

Christ Revealed: By the teacher of wisdom (Proverbs 4:7,11). Christ is the Teacher in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).

Word Studies: 4:12 straitened means hindered; 4:13 fast means firm; 4:24 froward mouth means deceitful talk; 5:3 strange means adulterous; 5:6 moveable means unstable; 5:19 ravished means delighted; 5:22 holden with the cords means ensnared; 6:12 naughty means worthless; 6:26 whorish woman means prostitute; 7:10 subtile means deceitful; 7:18 solace means delight.

Prayer:

Government Officials: Rep. James Clyburn (SC), Rep. John Duncan (TN), Rep. Edolphus Towns (NY), and Sen. Paul Wellstone (MN) · Pray for Rick Hash and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on KVER-FM, El Paso, TX · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Priscilla C. Wilcox · Country: Rwanda (8 million) in central Africa · Major languages: Kinyarwanda and French · Religious freedom · 40% Roman Catholic; 21% Protestant; 14% belief in false gods, ancestor worship, and spirit-possession cults; 9% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for (not against) your enemies (Luke 6:28).

Optional Reading: Titus 2

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:162,167



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