July 14th
“15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. 20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?” Proverbs 5:15-20 NIV
Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived, but even he fell victim to the dangers of sexual lust. “He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been” (1 Kings 11:3-4 NIV). Solomon’s quest for happiness through sexual variety resulted in him committing spiritual adultery against God.
At the end of his life, Solomon reaffirmed that the true secret to sexual fulfillment is found in a happy marriage between one man and one woman. He wrote, “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9 NKJV). Considering that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, I think his statement was credible!
Sex is a deeply intimate activity that is best shared within the bond of marriage of one man and one woman. If you are married, rejoice in your spouse; if the love fire has died, ask God to rekindle that fire. If you are single, rejoice in faith that God will take care of your needs at some point in the future. Don’t forsake God’s plan for your life by usurping sexual pleasures intended for the security and intimacy of marriage. Sexual sin only leads to trouble and damages your relationship with God.
Questions for further thought:
How do the messages of pornography conflict with Solomon’s message in the above proverbs?
When sexual relationships are based on lust instead of love, what are the problems that are likely to arise? (Romans 6:12, Ephesians 4:19,22, 1 Peter 2:11, Proverbs 27:20)
Solomon revealed what important aspect about being captivated sexually?
Prayer:
“Lord God, Thank you for your perfect design for sex within marriage.
(If married) Thank you for my spouse. Please help me to love him or her more deeply and show me how to remove any lust that has corrupted our relationship. I make the decision to be captivated by my spouse’s love and no longer allow my eyes and/or mind to wander in sexual fantasy about someone else.
(If single) Thank you for the plan you have for my life and sexuality. Please teach me how to trust in you for all of my needs and desires. Please forgive me for any compromising I’ve done through sexual sin. I repent of it right now and ask for your help in walking in sexual purity. Help me to discover the joys of living totally for you as a single.
I praise you Lord, now and forever. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”