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Proverbs 5:3-5 - LUST AND SEX AS HONEY.

Proverbs 5:3-5 (NLT) For the lips of an 
immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth 
is smoother than oil. 4 But in the end she is 
as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a 
double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her 
steps lead straight to the grave.  

INTRODUCTION

   This "immoral woman" is a prostitute. 
Proverbs includes many warnings against illicit sex 
for several reasons. First, a prostitute's charm 
is used as an example of any temptation to do 
wrong or to leave the pursuit of wisdom. Second, 
sexual immorality of any kind was and still is 
extremely dangerous because it destroys family life, 
erodes a person's ability to love, degrades human 
beings and turns them into objects, can lead to 
disease, and can result in unwanted children. Third, 
sexual immorality is against God's law. 
   Any person should be on guard against 
those who use flattery and smooth talk (lips that 
"are as sweet as honey") that would lead him or 
her into sin. The best advice is to take a 
detour and even avoid conversation with such 
people. [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

If any man defile the temple of God, him 
shall God destroy. 1 Corinthians 3:17. Nature 
has affixed terrible penalties to these crimes - 
penalties which, sooner or later, will be inflicted 
upon every transgressor. It is these sins more 
than any other that have caused the fearful 
degeneracy of our race, and the weight of disease and 
misery with which the world is cursed. Men may 
succeed in concealing their transgression from their 
fellow men, but they will no less surely reap the 
result, in suffering, disease, imbecility, or death. 
And beyond this life stands the tribunal of the 
judgment, with its award of eternal penalties. They 
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom 
of God, but with Satan and evil angels shall 
have their part in that lake of fire which 
is the second death. Galatians 5:21; 
Revelation 20:14. PP461 

COMMENTARY

Sex As Honey.
   Sin is always sweet in the mouth and 
poisonously bitter in the stomach. Sin always "shows us 
the bait but hides the hook," as a good 
fisherman does to the fish he wants to catch and fry. 
Anything contrary to the Word and will of God, even 
if it leads initially to pleasure and 
prosperity, will disappoint. 
   Using honey as a metaphor for sexual sin 
is apt, because honey can be electrifyingly 
sweet and pleasurable but cannot provide even the 
nourishment of a single square meal. And too much honey 
can make you ill. According to the Bible, then, 
sex outside of a lifelong covenant of marriage 
is like trying to live on honey alone. Sex 
without a promise of mutual whole-life commitment 
can lead one party to make a far greater 
emotional investment than the other, with agonizing 
results. Or it can teach both parties to use sex for 
pleasure and not for radical self-giving. Either way, 
it's honey followed by hunger. 
   Think of the ways that sex outside of a 
lifelong covenant of marriage is like eating honey 
rather than enjoying a full meal. 
   Lord, keep me from falling for the false 
promise of sexual joy and intimacy apart from 
marriage. That lie has destroyed so many. Help me 
learn how to defeat sexual temptation. Amen. 
[Gods Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy Keller 
with Kathy Keller] 

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