"My son, pay attention to MY WISDOM, listen carefully to my WISE COUNSEL (UNDERSTANDING). Then you will show discernment (use good sense) and your lips will express what you learn (watch what you say)." Proverbs 5:1&2 (NLT/ICB)
Proverbs 5 begins with Solomon's wise teachings to his sons, and they should also be to our daughters. He was remembering times when he'd made mistakes and "fallen" - following his own way, rather than the will of God; and he wanted them to "listencarefully" to his wise teaching so they would make the same mistakes.
As a mother, teacher and grandmother, I always wanted to read God's Word, so that I could follow GOD'S PATH and teach my children to do the same. I made mistakes - I definetely wasn't a perfect mother and teacher - there were times I FAILED; but I always tried to show show "good sense" and to "watch what I said". To live the way Jesus wanted me to and be a witness to my family and the world. I am blessed to have see my son and his wife, and children, serving the Lord in their local Church and community.
"You are a LIGHT that gives LIGHT TO THE WORLD. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden......In the same way, YOU SHOULD BE A LIGHT FOR OTHER PEOPLE. Live, so they will see the GOOD THINGS YOU DO. Live, so that THEY WILL PRAISE YOUR FATHER INN HEAVEN." Matthew 5:14&16 (ICB)
1. BE FAITHFUL IN MARRIAGE
"The lips of the adulterous woman (another man's wife) drip sweet as honey and her speech (words) is smoother, pleasant than olive oil; but in the end she is bitter thab gall (bring you sorrow). She will cause you pain like a two edged sword." Proverbs 5:3&4 (NIV/ICB)
Too many Christians are tempted by ADULTERY, feeling it is okay, as long as they are FORGIVEN. But this does not relieve us from the CONSEQUENCES and the HURT that PAIN it may cause others.
"Now then, my son, LISTEN TO ME, do not run away (ignore) what I say. Keep to a path far from her, (stay away from such a woman), do not go near to the door of her house." Provebrs 5:7&8 (NIV/ICB)
As Solomon realized, the trouble with regret, you can GO BACK IN TIME and CHANGE YOUR WRONG DECISIONS. Our consequences can touch the lives of others. Solomon had made many mistakes with many wives and concubines, and he had even TURNED AWAY FROM GOD; but he didn't want this life for his sons (or daughters).
"Be wise when it comes to women. Find pleasure in your OWN WIFE: LOVE HER AND BE HAPPY. Don't be tempted by a "female fatale", a married woman". David Alexander
Solomon wanted his sons to care for his wives - "drink water from your own cistern". He wanted them to be faithful in their sexual relations. Water was a precious commodity in their community, and amd you never let your "water stream into the public squares".
"May your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice with the wife of your youth. A LOVING DOE, A GRACEFUL DEER.....May you always be captivated by HER LOVE" Proverbs 5:18&19 (NIV/NLT)
"Your sexuality belongs at home, not for anyone else. It is like a "spring of fresh water". It is yours alone, never to be shared with others. There is something about a homogomous relationship that causes sex to grow better IN TIME. It is more romantic with TRUST. A man who VALUES HIS WIFE, becomes captivated by her beauty and love." Peyton Jones
Thesefirst verses in Proverbs 5, capture both the appeal and the danger of sexual temptation. You don't want to end your life with regrets. WISDOM IS OUR FRIEND and it helps us make the right choices. Wives beed to make these decisions too, for there is a lot of JOY in A HEALTHY ROMANCE!
2. BETTER TOGETHER: MARRIAGE: TWO BECOME ONE
"TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE. They get more done WORKING TOGETHER. If one person falls, the other can help them up. But it is bad if a person is ther, and NO ONE IS THERE TO HELP HIM. ......A rope that has 3 PARTS WRAPPED TOGETHER is HARD TO BREAK." Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 12b (MSG)
"I went to a marriage course with Nicky and Sila Lee. Nicky showed a picture of marriage: He took 2 strands of different wool and weaved them TOGETHER. They were NOT EASILY BROKEN. He then took an invisiblle fishing line - representing GOD as the CENTRE - giving ENORMOUS STRENGTH. Friendships and Marriages are wonderful gifts" Nicky Gumbel
Mark and I have been married for nearly 43 years. We have "adopted" parents and friends who have been married for many more - their 50's and 60's. Their relationships are a real BLESSING to us, and a WITNESS - full of LOVE, JOY, GRACE AND ROMANCE
"A man will leave his father and mother and be UNITED WITH HIS WIFE. And the two people will become ONE BODY." Genesis 2:24 (ICB)
This is a beautiful description of two people becoming ONE with EACH OTHER and with GOD. They are becoming intimate as husband and wife. This is so much better than the "cheap thrills" that come from promiscuity and adultery.
"GOD'S LOVE is the 3RD STRAND of the CHORD of this MARRIAGE relationship. JESUS is the central principle of how we should LOVE ONE ANOTHER. With Jesus in the centre, the 3 strands will not be BROKEN." Nicky Gumbel.
"Be happy with the wife you married when you were a young man . SHE GIVE YOU JOY as your fountain gives you water. SHE IS AS LOVELY as an angel , beautiful as a rose, AND GRACEFUL as a deer. LET HER LOVE MAKE YOU HAPPY (take delight in her body) LET HER LOVE always hold you captive (never take it for granted) " Proverbs 5:18&19 (ICB/MSG)
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S BIBLE", 2015, Thomas Nelson
"THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE CONTEMPORARY", 2018, Eugene H Peterson, Tyndale House Publishers
"Rejoice, Wife of Thy Youth.", (2026), Male and Female Vocals, Scripture in Song, Velvet Candy Records/YouTube
"Alexander, David, "The Lion Handbook To the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson Publishers
"Gumble, Nicky, Nicky & Sila Lee"Better Together: The Marriage Course/Marriage - Two Become One" - Proverbs 5:15-23, The Bible In One Year, 2026, Alpha International/YouVersion
Jones, Peyton, "Temptation, Lust and the Way Out - Warning Againgst Adultery", Proverbs 5, (2026), Through the Word
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