Proverbs 5 - Avoiding Sexual Sin pt I
Introduction
- today we're beginning a new section in our study of the book of Proverbs.
- thus far we've done an introduction to the book, a study of chapters 1,8,and 9 that provided general truths about wisdom, and then a study of chapters 2, 3, and 4 about how wisdom protects your path, directs your path, and perfects your path.
- there is one more section in the book that can be grouped in a similar way, chapters 5-7.
- after we're done with this section, the book turns to more of a topical approach, and that’s what we'll do in our study.
- but the next few weeks will be on a very important subject…the matter of avoiding sexual sin.
- let's begin our time by reading the chapter, then there's several introductory thoughts I'd like us to get on the table from other passages of Scripture, and then we'll begin working through the verses here systematically.
- Read Proverbs 5
- as I said a moment ago, there are several introductory ideas I'd like us to get on the table, and then we'll come back and look specifically at these verses.
1. The genders could easily be reversed in this chapter.
- remember the book is set up as a father speaking to his young son, so the temptation is being discussed here from that frame of reference.
- but this could just as easily be a parent speaking to his/her daughter, and then the emphasis would be on avoiding the "strange man".
- my point is, please don't think that God's Word puts the blame on women for sexual sin--that is not true biblically, and it is certainly not true in real life.
- by the way, to make things even more complicated, because of the growing popularity of homosexuality, a third category here is warning sons about the strange man, or daughters about the strange woman---and while I would have rather not have had to bring that up, as a pastor concerned about our people, I have to.
2. Human sexuality was created by God and sexual relations within the bonds of marriage is holy and right.
- INPUT - How do we know that this is true?
- Genesis 1:27 - male and female created He them…
- Genesis 2:25 - And the man and the woman were both naked and were not ashamed.
- Hebrews 13:4 - Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
3. God owns our bodies and we are accountable to Him for their use.
- cf. I Corinthians 6:12-20
- INPUT - Important principles for us to see here?
4. The goal of human sexuality is to meet the needs of one's spouse.
- cf. I Corinthians 7:1-6
- INPUT - Important principles for us to see here?
[recommend Doc's article]
5. Human sexuality is emphasized in the Ten Commandments.
Cf. Exodus 20:14 - You shall not commit adultery, 20:17 - You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
- INPUT - Based on these principles, why is it appropriate/valuable for us to study this topic?
- One writer said "Life is a game in which the rules are constantly changing. Nothing spoils a game more than those who take it seriously."
- INPUT - What is your response to this position?
Warren Wiersbe said - "It's true that some well-known people have indulged in sexual escapades and even bragged about it, including government officials, Hollywood stars, sports heroes, and (alas!) preachers, but that doesn't make it right. Sexual sin is one of the main themes of numerous movies, TV programs, novels, and short stories; yet popularity is no test of right and wrong. Many things that the law says are legal, the Bible says are evil, and there won't be a jury sitting at the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15, 21:27, 22:15).
- we're going to divide these three chapters in this way…
- Chapter 5 - Sexual sin is eventually disappointing.
- Chapter 6 - Sexual sin is gradually destructive.
- Chapter 7 - Sexual sin is ultimately deadly.
I. Sexual Sin is Eventually Disappointing.
Warren Wiersbe said – “When married people honor and respect sex as God instructs them in His Word, they can experience increasing enjoyment and enrichment in their intimacy. But when people break the rules, the result is just the opposite. They experience disappointment and disillusionment and have to search for larger ‘doses’ of sexual adventure in order to attain the imaginary pleasure level they’re seeking. God created sex not only for reproduction but also for enjoyment, and He didn’t put the ‘marriage wall’ around sex to rob us of pleasure but to increase pleasure and protect it.”
A. Their experience goes from sweetness to bitterness - vv. 1-6
- "strange" - not related to
- this kind of person will be mentioned repeated throughout the rest of the book
- cf. the argument of verses 3-4
- The book of Proverbs encourages us to think about the long-term consequences of our actions…[INPUT - How is this different than our world?]
B. Their experience goes from gain to loss - vv. 7-14
- cf. J. Alan Peterson - The Myth of the Greener Grass
- INPUT-in what ways might the person who does not heed these warnings experience this "loss"?
C. Their experience goes purity to pollution - vv. 15-20
- these verses compare sexual relations in marriage to drinking fresh, pure water.
- the obvious comparison would be drinking water out of a polluted stream/sewer.
- [cf. how in a third world culture, this illustration would have been even more powerful.]
D. Their experience goes from freedom to bondage - vv. 21-23
- cf. v. 22 - bound by the cords of his own sin.
- cf. also the hope of I Corinthians 6:11
Adult Bible Fellowship
Avoiding Sexual Sin
Proverbs Series #18
Introduction
1. The ____________ could easily be _________________ in this chapter.
2. Human sexuality was ______________ by God and sexual relations within the bonds of marriage is __________ and _____________.
3. God __________ our bodies and we are ____________________ to Him for their use.
4. The __________ of human sexuality is to meet the needs of one's ______________.
5. Human sexuality is emphasized in the _______ _____________________.
INPUT - Based on these principles, why is it appropriate/valuable for us to study this topic?
One writer said - "Life is a game in which the rules are constantly changing. Nothing spoils a game more than those who take it seriously."
INPUT - What is your response to this position?
Warren Wiersbe said - "It's true that some well-known people have indulged in sexual escapades and even bragged about it, including government officials, Hollywood stars, sports heroes, and (alas!) preachers, but that doesn't make it right. Sexual sin is one of the main themes of numerous movies, TV programs, novels, and short stories; yet popularity is no test of right and wrong. Many things that the law says are legal, the Bible says are evil, and there won't be a jury sitting at the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15, 21:27, 22:15).
I. Sexual Sin is Eventually ___________________.
Warren Wiersbe said – “When married people honor and respect sex as God instructs them in His Word, they can experience increasing enjoyment and enrichment in their intimacy. But when people break the rules, the result is just the opposite. They experience disappointment and disillusionment and have to search for larger ‘doses’ of sexual adventure in order to attain the imaginary pleasure level they’re seeking. God created sex not only for reproduction but also for enjoyment, and He didn’t put the ‘marriage wall’ around sex to rob us of pleasure but to increase pleasure and protect it.”
A. Their experience goes from sweetness to ___________________ - vv. 1-6
B. Their experience goes from gain to __________ - vv. 7-14
INPUT - In what ways might the person who does not heed these warnings experience this "loss"?
C. Their experience goes from purity to ________________ - vv. 15-20
D. Their experience goes from freedom to ________________ - vv. 21-23
Adult Bible Fellowship
Avoiding Sexual Sin
Proverbs Series #18
Introduction
1. The genders could easily be reversed in this chapter.
2. Human sexuality was created by God and sexual relations within the bonds of marriage is holy and right.
3. God owns our bodies and we are accountable to Him for their use.
4. The goal of human sexuality is to meet the needs of one's spouse.
5. Human sexuality is emphasized in the Ten Commandments.
INPUT - Based on these principles, why is it appropriate/valuable for us to study this topic?
One writer said - "Life is a game in which the rules are constantly changing. Nothing spoils a game more than those who take it seriously."
INPUT - What is your response to this position?
Warren Wiersbe said - "It's true that some well-known people have indulged in sexual escapades and even bragged about it, including government officials, Hollywood stars, sports heroes, and (alas!) preachers, but that doesn't make it right. Sexual sin is one of the main themes of numerous movies, TV programs, novels, and short stories; yet popularity is no test of right and wrong. Many things that the law says are legal, the Bible says are evil, and there won't be a jury sitting at the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15, 21:27, 22:15).
I. Sexual Sin is Eventually Disappointing.
Warren Wiersbe said – “When married people honor and respect sex as God instructs them in His Word, they can experience increasing enjoyment and enrichment in their intimacy. But when people break the rules, the result is just the opposite. They experience disappointment and disillusionment and have to search for larger ‘doses’ of sexual adventure in order to attain the imaginary pleasure level they’re seeking. God created sex not only for reproduction but also for enjoyment, and He didn’t put the ‘marriage wall’ around sex to rob us of pleasure but to increase pleasure and protect it.”
A. Their experience goes from sweetness to bitterness - vv. 1-6
B. Their experience goes from gain to loss - vv. 7-14
INPUT - In what ways might the person who does not heed these warnings experience this "loss"?
C. Their experience goes from purity to pollution - vv. 15-20
D. Their experience goes from freedom to bondage - vv. 21-23