Proverbs 5:3 the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil
Years ago in what seems like another life now, a few friends invited me to go to the casino with them one night. I was really not interested in gambling, knew nothing about casinos and was not really keen to go. They kept on at me, making fun, sledging me a bit. Their words were funny and soft towards me. I relented and went with them that night.
The casino was packed. People standing two or three deep around every table and everything was a mystery to me as I did not really know how any of the games of chance worked. Even watching this throng of people placing brightly coloured chips into boxes with numbers or signs in them did not really help me understand.
One of my friends took me to a table where a card game was being played and explained the rules to me, he placed a couple of bets and lost them both. Full of fear I placed a bet and lost one and won two. I was slightly ahead. My bets were very small indeed, the smallest permitted. I stopped and left with a few extra coins in my pocket an hour or so later, leaving my friends there.
Those soft words and little drips of honey drew me in. Now in my mind, I was open to gambling, something small had made a significant shift. I’ll tell you more about the outcomes of this in “my story” on my website as it unfolds.
If you have not read my story yet, do go on and read the first few chapters are available now on request.
KNOWLEDGE
There are things in life that at first appearance, first indication, first reaction, seem attractive, look inviting and feel good. If we have not been listening to God’s wisdom, if we have not remained hungry for his insights and leading, they will take us out. The imagery here is built around the “forbidden woman” – in other words, someone else’s wife, or a woman betrothed to another man. These were huge cultural issues and could result in a brutal death at the time this was written.
Those issues are just as damaging to ourselves today, but I believe that there is also a figurative edge to this writing, there is a descriptive portion that is calling from deep to deep – there are so many things today that can derail a Christian, knock us off track, and have us in the ditch so to speak. Social media is fraught with danger as we get involved in issues that are contentious, or we start comparing ourselves to others or looking at images that are intentionally pornographic. Drugs and alcohol can lead to reduced awareness and we end up making really poor choices or getting into dangerous situations. Gambling can become addictive…… And the list could go on and on.
Prevention is better than cure, don’t go down that path, don’t even take the first step, train your eyes where to look, your thoughts where to rest, and your feet where to go. Seek wisdom, hunt for insight, stay close to your maker, He is a strong tower and hidden in him you are safe.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word for “drip” in Hebrew is pronounced “natap” and appears 18 times in the Old Testament. It is translated in the ESV into the English words, dropped; poured; drip; and, preach. In verse three we pick up on the idea of to gently fall, to fall in drops. The very gentleness of these words is so deceptive.
WISDOM
Q – What words drip into your life today that could take you off course?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Deliberative makes space for good decisions, invests wisely into chosen relationships, recognises and turns away from “too good to be true” and helps others step into their calling.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [her certain language and knowledge desire to turn you astray, to estrange you. Her language and knowledge fall down gently onto you, promising a taste of her mouth, of forest honey. The mouth that shares this knowledge is slippery, divisive, flattering and will grow you fat and gross.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to know your voice and allow your voice to be my source, my guide and my instructor each day. Thank you.
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Allan this is so true… more and more our world is becoming a minefield, full of ‘traps’ to take us down and/or to change our course and lead us away from our relationship, our purpose and our destiny in Christ.
So comforting to read these words that you have written….Seek wisdom, hunt for insight, stay close to your maker, He is a strong tower and hidden in him you are safe….
These words bring comfort, not just for me as I navigate my life and my world, but as I raise my children in this fallen world.
Our children will face ‘the lips of a forbidden woman’ in so many forms as they navigate life… it is up to us as parents to set the example of seeking Christ and his wisdom in every situation we face in order that they may do the same and not fall into the ever increasing traps that lie waiting….
Thanks Allan for bringing to light this truth.
Thanks Ps Allan.
Can’t wait to hear more of your casino experience in your story.
So much Gold and so much truth Ps Allan. Thank you for sharing.
We live in a world where it’s so easy to be influenced and tempeted by what others are doing.
Love this Ps Allan – Prevention is better that cure, don’t go down that path, don’t even take the first step, train your eyes where to look, your thoughts where to rest, and your feet where to go. Seek wisdom, hunt for insight, stay close to your maker, He is a strong tower and hidden in him you are safe.
Love your strength thought- making space for good decisions. Invest in wisely chosen friendships. So true.
Thank you Pastor Allan.
It is trues that we have to be so careful with the words or thoughts that can take us off course. On the other hand I also think by not trusting what God has promised you – can derail you.
Loved the same quote that Joey did. Prevention is the best way. I am so grateful from having you help me delve deeper into the book of Proverbs. X
Thanks Allan, love the strengths thought and making space for good decisions. How easy it is making wrong decisions in times of turmoil or on a whim because something or someone makes us feel good! Wisdom is often found in the waiting, the making space!
Things and situations we get exposed to May always not be safe.
“Precaution is better than cure”
To train our eyes where to look,
Our thoughts where to rest,and our feet where to go.
Such awesome advice!
Finally to take rest in Him.
He is our strong tower and in Him we take refuge.
That is so reassuring to know.
Prevention is better than cure. An old but oh so true saying. It’s so easy to be enticed by the smooth talking politicians about benefits to us until they get into office and then we see who and what they are. We are duped into thinking of voting for the same party because it’s the norm. In the meantime our society is veered towards ungodly behaviors that take us down the path of idol worship, abortion, divsion, and God is removed from our schools, euthanasia etc. It’s a fallen society because we listen to the smooth lips utterings that entice. Put God first in all things. Jesus died a gruesome death for us and left us with the Holy Spirit as our guide. Today’s message is encouraging. Thanks Pastor Allan.
Thanks Pastor Allan for such wise & encouraging words!
As we pray the Our Father each day we are reminded ‘..and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil….’ of how important it is to guard our hearts & ways from all the entrapments & enticements the world has to offer us to lead us away from the things of God. These temptations ultimately lead us into sin & destroy our destiny in Him. We live in a spiritual battle & consequently we are instructed to put on the armour of God daily so we can withstand the wickedness & evil of this world. God’s purpose is for us to build His Kingdom as His living stones Jesus being the chief cornerstone so having the discernment not to bow to the deceptions which may appear harmless of soft enticing words which drip with flattery & are spoken to tempt the flesh is so important. Being intentional to stay planted seek Godly wise companions & to stay close to the Lord hiding ourselves in Him because He is our protector our refuge & fortress is a daily discipline we should diligently pursue.
This verse warns us not to fall into the trap of seduction or addictions. Be ever watchful and alert— danger lurks everywhere.
We need to have complete trust in our Father. He will guide us. And our responsibility is to guide and instruct the young ones who face growing up in a world full of trouble and temptations.
The same old trick of the devil still works today. So many people, young and old , even good Christians fall into this same temptation and sin. A trap that is so difficult to loose. Like Joseph we have to run away from temptation.
I looked at the footnote of Life application Bible Proverbs 5:3 high lights….charm is used as an example of any temptation to do wrong or to leave the pursuit of wisdom. …warning against illicit sex for several reasons- it destroys family life, erodes person’s ability to love and degrade human beings….
True nature of evil is to deceive the innocent with sweet talk and attract to their gain.
How to Avoid immortal Women: you have wisely stated in knowledge section:
They are so precious words:
“Train the eyes…,where to look
Your thoughts ….where to rest,
Your feet….where to go,
Seek wisdom
Hunt for insight
Stay close to your Maker,
He is a strong tower and hidden inHim we are safe!”
Thank you Allan!
Thanks Ps Allan.
So true, prevention is better than cure.
It’s very important to make space for good choices and decisions.
There are so many things today that can detrain us and knock us off the track.
Love your strength thought. Invest wisely into chosen relationships.
This is key!
He is a strong tower and hidden in him you are safe. – I love this. Such a gracious loving God. Our ever present help.