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adultery, adultery against God, assuming, assumptions, basics, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, devotions, encouragement, faith, family, family devotions, lusts, temptation
The other day I was reading in the book of Proverbs and came across a lot of warnings against the adulteress. I almost skipped over it thinking that it had no relevance to me, but I am so glad I didn’t. As I was reading, I remembered that God often called Israel an adulteress when she turned to other gods. He warns Israel (and us) that when we turn from worship of Him to anything else, we are in fact, committing adultery against Him. The Church is the Bride of Christ and when we act like we are not, we are adulterers and adulteresses.
We must ask ourselves why it is so easy to stray from being true to our Lord. Why is it so easy to commit adultery against Him? Proverbs 5:3 says, “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech;” We must realize that anything that pulls us away from God seems like a really great thing. We view the payoff as worth it. Our perceptions tell us that the opportunity, decision, or temptation drips with honey. It awakens our desires. It might even look godly on the outside, but at the core it is destructive because it is not God’s best for us.
For example, we have been offered a leadership position at the church, or in our community. It looks like a great opportunity. It would be beneficial to have this position in place. The church, or community, would really benefit. You can see all the good that it would accomplish. You assume it is God’s will because you are excited about it. You accept the position and move forward only to realize that things looked good on the outside (it dripped with honey), but in the end it was bitter because it was not God’s best for you. Proverbs 5:4 says of adultery, “But in the end she is bitter as wormwood…” You thought you were getting delicious honey, but it was wormwood in disguise and you realize you are worshipping a position and people’s opinions more than your God. It’s so easy to fall into a trap like this.
Proverbs 5:8 says, “Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your vigor to others, and your years to the cruel one;” This verse reminds us that we do not need to go near anything, or anyone, that could cause us to stray. Even if we are aware, we can be easily swayed if we are running too close to the enticement. Galatians 6:1 tells us that when we are helping others to get out of an enticement, we also need to aware. It says that we could be drawn away as well if we are not careful. Why? Because we are getting close to the door of the adulteress. We can smell the honey and be easily swayed. But for the grace of God go us, people, but for the grace of God …
So, I’m keeping it short and sweet this week to allow God to penetrate your heart with any areas that you may be committing adultery in. He is a precious Savior willing to take us back time and time again, (read the book of Hosea), let’s allow Him to make us His pure, spotless bride once again.
