Proverbs 5:15-16

New Living Translation

Drink water from your own well—
    share your love only with your wife.
Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
    having sex with just anyone?

For Meditation

The man knew the subject well. Only a fool learns nothing from adversity. Two mistakes are usually enough to hit the brakes and make a quick U-turn. But a thousand times down the road of polygamy—seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines? How could Solomon not learn? His story is a powerful lesson for us all, urging us to learn from his mistakes and avoid the dangers of immorality.

“My son,” he begins in Proverbs chapter five, “pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel” (5:1).

The king might have reviewed his life and noted the slippery road that led him astray from goodliness.

A helpful tool is one thing to own, but using it positively is another. Solomon focused on action instead of knowledge for its sake, acknowledging life’s failures.

“Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned” (2).

Solomon now digs into the heart of the subject. He holds up the immoral woman and reveals the danger she poses to holiness.

“For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end, she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword,” Solomon says (3-4).

Now, Solomon describes the slippery slope into the throes of death.

“Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. For she cares nothing about the life path. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it” (5-6).

With a tender but firm voice, the wise king warns the son, his words echoing with caution and wisdom, urging us to heed his advice and avoid the pitfalls of immorality.

“Never stray from what I am about to say: Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved. Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. In the end, you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body” (8-11).

It is always better now than later. Later, it could be too far to turn back or badly broken for valuable repair work.

“How I hated discipline!” you may say. “If only I had not ignored all the warnings! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace” (12-14).

This album is the most popular song of failure and regret, with several copies sold since Eden. If only someone would stop and listen—if somebody would take the heavy steps back to the Father in heaven through Jesus! He can forgive, cleanse, and restore the prodigal son or daughter.

That is the reason for Calvary—the healing and peace Christ brings to all who walk away from their sins and walk with the Savior in purity (1 Thess. 4:3-8) for the Father’s glory.

So: Make Jesus proud He died for you this Easter.

Pray With Me

Lord, help us honor you with our bodies, which you died to build as your temple. For you did not call us to impure living but to live a holy life. May this Easter remind us of the great exchange of our sin for your righteousness, that we might live to your glory. Amen.