It's Not Worth It!

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 5:7-10,12-14 So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: 8 Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! 9 If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved. 10 Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.  . . . 12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! 13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? 14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,  and now I must face public disgrace.”

OBSERVATION: This passage is so powerful in light of what happened to a prominent Christian leader just a few years ago--the one who lost his church after being caught in a sexual affair. He was on the morning shows just today talking about his experiences and how sorry he was.

Notice, the very things the Proverbist warned is what happened (even though it was a homosexual affair instead of a heterosexual one--the effects were the same): he lost his honor--he is disgraced instead of held in esteem. Surly this event has cost him a lot financially, he lost his pastoral salary (over $120,000 per year). All the fruit of his labor, building up his ministry and influence, is now in someone else's hands at very time of his life when he should be enjoying it. He said himself that he had those around him who were warning and directing him but he didn't listen. The result: public disgrace!! We need to take note and be warned!!

APPLICATION/CONFESSION: I must never forget that this is the end result of giving into sexual temptation--it is not worth it!!

PRAYER: Lord, give me the grace never to forget the danger of this kind of temptation and the grace to always resist it.