The Adulteress

Proverbs 6:24-35

“To preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.  Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.  Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?  Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?  So is he who goes into his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.  People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.  He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.  He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.  For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.”

The Psalmist seems to have a very good understanding of the evil woman, and he tells us she has the ability to entice you with her words.  She is always on the hunt for another man to bring into her web, and she looks for the young the foolish and the naïve. In verse 26 we are given this insight; “for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.”  Both come with a high price to the man who enters their door, but the married woman is a destroyer of the family and marriages.  In fact, Proverbs 30:20, states the following; “This is the way of an adulteress she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”  Now I believe it is clear that the adulteress, in this case, is a young woman and an older man, but it goes for both the man and the woman.  Young ladies watch out for the older man who believes fornication with you leaves no trace on his or your life.  Young men and older men are to be on guard for the married woman who is an adulteress, for she thinks sex outside of marriage is as casual and moral as a meal.

The Psalmist goes on to warn that the cost of an encounter with her is higher than one can pay; it brings destruction and shame that does not end after she is through with you.  Please pay attention to verse 32, “The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”

Our Father is a God of the second chance and when one who has committed adultery comes to Him with a repentant heart and He is quick to forgive, but that sin comes with permanent disgrace.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice