In Proverbs 7, as we have studied for some days, Solomon advises his son with an experience of one of his age mates. That young man was just about his son’s age but he lacked understanding. Perhaps, his parents didn’t tell him, or he simply despised what they said. So the father takes time to speak to his son on this matter very much – how to handle his sexual urge both within and without marriage.
When you read the book of Proverbs which was written for the “man of understanding” to “attain wise counsels”, a major part of the first couple of chapters, Solomon speaks about the sexuality of his son. I believe the writer used “she” for wisdom partly because wisdom was opposite to the whore. He wanted his own son to be forearmed with understanding and wisdom, and deeply in love with her that he doesn’t fall prey to seduction of women except his wife.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your nearest kin, that they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words. (Prov. 7:4-5)
God’s “Fathers’ Day” wish for us, like Solomon in the verses above, is that we take His words so serious, tie them on our fingers and write them in our hearts (Prov. 7:3); so that we will be delivered from sexual immorality.
So the loving father narrates a story to his son. (Daddies, thank you for the stories you shared – your experiences and that of others.)
Sometimes, the easiest way to learn is to hear another person’s experiences. The wise man doesn’t wait to try all things himself in order to learn. He learns from God’s infallible word and considers how the word has been true in the life of others around him. She listens to those who have gone ahead of her. And she gathers warnings from the wounds of her mother. A wise person doesn’t keep going until he is crushed. He asks those who have been that way before.
So Solomon sat his son down and told him the story. He buttressed his message to him with a practical example. In discussing or teaching, we shouldn’t be ashamed of sharing our own stories or the stories of others, be they very good or bad. We must defeat and break strongholds of the devil by leaking his tactics and strategies. A soldier who mistakenly or unfortunately gets captured by the enemy isn’t only thinking about leaving the house where he is chained. Even in his condition, he wants to get a way to communicate the activities of the enemy to his comrades. He isn’t too shy of the fact that a strong man like him was captured. He tries his best to get out, not just for himself; but for the whole team still wandering. He wants to come out because others will be killed by the craftiness of the enemy. He wants to leak the strategies of the enemy and empower his people against them.
What have you been through? If it didn’t kill you, then as a soldier in God’s great army, come out of there. Come out wiser, not just for yourself, but for the rest of your brethren. Come out stronger. Come out more angry at the devil. As the story of the young man without understanding was used to teach another young man, let your story (if you have one) teach others to flee. Let it teach them discipline. Come out and let us know, that the words written in our Bibles are very practical.
Having said this, let me add, that we shouldn’t NEED a story to BELIEVE GOD’S WISDOM. Most of the people with not so good experiences had them, because they refused to believe God’s word and wisdom “raw”. And usually, their wounds have lasted, or the scars have remained. So don’t be a victim. Be a victor!
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Heb. 4:2)
“Now all these things happened to them as examples…. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man….” (1 Cor. 10:11-13)
The temptations you are dealing with or will be dealing with, and the temptations you dealt with are common to us all. Someone else have been tempted, is being tempted or will be tempted in that same manner. Love is to share how you overcame and/or the lessons you learnt (perhaps from your mistake). Wisdom is to listen to how others won or failed, and learn how you can handle similar temptations. Learn from examples, because basically, we all go through the same things.
Written for the Sex Conference
Pious D. Serwonu