We now arrive to the last application of Proverbs 5. We are looking at the reasoning for why we, as men, must be faithful. Unless we understand the severity of this, we will never realize the danger of ignoring the commands given so far.
Proverbs 5:21 we see the strongest reason. The Lord sees all. Notice what it says in two parts. First is the ways are before the eyes of the Lord. This is a strong statement that is found twenty times in the Scriptures (Genesis 6:8; Deuteronomy 11:12; 13:18; etc). From the uses, it shows that all the things and ways of their life is not hidden from God. He sees all and knows all. This becomes much more important when we read 2 Chronicles 16:9.
What’s more, If we notice the power behind Psalm 34:15, those who are righteous has the eyes of the Lord on them and He is listening to them. Put in righteousness into Proverbs 5:1-14. Do we see it? Absolutely not! Where God is watching the righteous, He is also watching the evil. It is only those who are loyal will they find themselves being under girded by God and that God will show Himself mighty. It is only those who are loyal. Men, if you are running around with the immoral woman, you will bear the brunt of this. Not only are your ways before Him, and that which is done in secret and darkness is revealed (Luke 8:17), but all sins will find out those who practice and sow to it (Galatians 6:7-8; Numbers 32:23).
There is no hiding from God. He sees all and knows all. Job asks a very important question in Job 31:4 and the answer is, yes. While it may not seem like it for Job, or even for us as we are going through hard times, Jesus did not lose sight of us. God even says this in Jeremiah 16:17. The people of Israel are sinning and Jeremiah is warning them to repent. God’s own words are that He sees them and knows what they are doing. Jeremiah, in His prayer recognizes this truth and it would be wise, men, for us to recognize it as well – Jeremiah 32:19.
Do not be mistaken that these little trysts with women is just a harmless act of passion. It is worse. Much worse. Hebrews 4:13 tells that all will stand before God as judge and all WILL give an account. There is no question about that.
Then we move further in Proverbs 5:21 and we see the Lord is pondering all their paths. Powerful word, ponder. It is used six times. Look at its usage:
Weigh – Psalm 58:2; Isaiah 26:7
Made – Psalm 78:50
Ponder – Proverbs 4:26; 5:6
Ponders – Proverbs 5:21
The same ponder that we are to give to our own feet (Proverbs 4:26) is the same ponder that we should not give to the immoral woman (Proverbs 5:6) is the same weight and view God gives to our paths and ways that we walk (Proverbs 5:21). Ouch! If this does not strike us with fear and trembling and a desire to fall on our faces for mercy, nothing will. Each one of our steps are seen by God and nothing escapes His view (Job 34:21).
It is in this frame of mind we find that there is no place on this earth Jesus does not see. Using the topic, there is no back seat of a car, no hidden place in the woods. No private bedroom in a hotel, no secluded place in a home that Jesus does not see what is going on. Men, understand the actions and activities done in the places that are to be sacred between you and your wife are laid bare between you and the other (Proverbs 15:3).
Perhaps, some may think God will forget or ignore the evil. After all, they are consenting adults right? Wrong. Hosea 7:2 is very clear that He will remember their wickedness. Not their mistakes, slips, or consenting activities. He calls it their wickedness. And notice what it says, it is before His face. He will never forget.
Then we come to Proverbs 5:22 and we see the second reason we must be faithful to our spouse and true to our vows. We will be entraped and caught in the sins of our own doing. We covered this a little above. I would again encourage looking at such passages as Luke 8:17; Galatians 6:7-8; and Numbers 32:23.
When we bring this to our wife. God says He ignores the offering nor receives it (Malachi 2:13). Why? Look at Malachi 2:14. If God holds this faithfulness to such a level, why would we lower the importance of Proverbs 5:15-20? It is a futile attempt to allow or excuse the actions of Proverbs 5:1-6. As we said before in Proverbs 5:5-14, failure to heed the warning will trap those who decide their physical lusts are more important than their spiritual holiness. That is why we find Proverbs 5:20 as the gateway to these final three passages.
We bring to bear the truth of Numbers 32:23 and the trap laid will be the very trap that captures those who foolishly ignore these lessons given so far.
It is from this we find a picture not unlike animals being caught in a net and dying. Proverbs 5:23 is where this all leads. There is a death because the instructions are ignored and tossed away. From there, this individual will go astray. This is not the first time God has not cast aside an individual, nation, or people that has sinned (Psalm 9:5). Could it be what we see in our nation of America is the result of being tossed aside? As said, no nation that has allowed sexual liberation and deviancy of all kinds has ever fully lived and become successful. They eat of their own fruits and fancies and it can only bring about evil (Proverbs 1:31; Isaiah 3:11).
As we close this chapter of Proverbs, I have a couple of calls:
1. Ladies, do not allow yourself to be treated like an object. Realize that in Jesus Christ you have wealth and value. Do not throw your bodies around to try and attract attention. It will fail and you will be caught in your own sin. If you feel the need to sleep around, then you must repent from your sin, realize what God declares for human sexuality, and come to Jesus.
2. Men, do not act like animals. God has designed sexual intimacy to be between one man and woman, a husband and wife, in and under the bonds of covenant of marriage. Anything and everything else, even if it is “harmless” like porn does nothing but destroy the truth of God’s design. Do not be trapped by these immoral women who only seek physical pleasure. Instead, surrender yourself to Jesus. Confess your sins and come to Him for mercy.
3. My cry to the nation, America, sexual deviancy of any form outside of what the Bible declares as normal and right is a destruction to us! Realize there is a trap waiting and it may yet be sprung. But now is the time to call upon the Lord because right now He is willing to hear and forgive (Isaiah 55:6). The same cry from Isaiah is the same cry from me, return to the Lord God! You have shunned Him enough and have decided to put your evil desires before Him. He will judge you and you will answer. But there is mercy for all who call upon the Name of the Lord! Repent for your sexual sins. Repent for your blasphemies against God. Repent for your pride and arrogance thinking you know what is right. Turn away from those things and turn to God who is willing, even now, to receive you and forgive you.
If not, and these three judgments are ignored, you as an individual, either male or female, or you as a nation, will stand before God as your judge, jury, and executioner. Repent while there is still time.