God’s Word for Today 18 Sep, 2024 1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. 3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. Prov 5:1-6 ESV BE DISCERNING In another instance, the father urged his son to be attentive to his words. A parent is responsible for the instruction of his children. Moses instructs the parents in Deut 6:6–7, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." He should not walk in the way of sinners.[Psa 1:1] 1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, His warning is for him to ‘keep discretion’ or ‘discernment.’ 2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. In the next verses, Solomon brings us to the image of a naive young man being enticed by a wicked or forbidden woman to indulge in sexual sin with her. The young man won’t be protected from her if he lacks discernment. Samson was so strong to kill thousands of Philistines singlehandedly but he lacks the spiritual discernment before the wicked woman, Delilah. 3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. Friends, the way to adultery is towards death or the path of Sheol.[v.4] It is coated with honey and oil. Seducers use flattery to trap their victims. The way to destruction is sweet and smooth. Jesus later describes this path as ‘wide and easy that leads to destruction and those who enter are many.’[Mat 7:13] But, the end is as eating ‘wormwood’. Wormwood is a plant found in wastelands desert areas. Although it was used for some medicines, it was known for its extremely bitter taste. Eventually, the honey-like promises will turn into a bitter taste – a time of pain and regret in life. Wormwood often symbolizes calamity or judgment.[Rev 8:10-11] As a sharp two-edged sword, the sin of adultery will cut one'slife as a result – his family, relationships, etc. Sin is merciless like the seductress woman.[see v.6] Sliding into sin is preventable when we are discernful. Keep the scriptures in your heart, not head, to deter sin.[Psa 119:11] However, if we’re there at the bottom, God’s arms are not short to rescue us. As Isaiah says, “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.’[Isa 59:1] Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofProverbs