Avoiding Woman Folly

"The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing" (Prov. 9:13).

Every time I read Proverbs 9:13-18, I hear Confederate Railroad's song, "Trashy Women." The chorus goes like this:

Yeah, an' I like my women just a little on the trashy side,
When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.
Too much lipstick an' er too much rouge,
Gets me excited, leaves me feeling confused.
An' I like my women just a little on the trashy side.

The type of women described in this song fits the profile of woman Folly as she is described by Solomon. In Proverbs, the reader is warned to avoid the adulterous or forbidden woman. Wisdom will keep us from such a woman's clutches. Wisdom demonstrates the way to go "so you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words" (Prov. 2:16). Solomon warns, "For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol" (Prov. 5:3-5).

Solomon urges his listeners, "Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words" (Prov. 7:4-5). The continual repetition of descriptions of and warnings against the forbidden woman should stick in our mind. Solomon is stressing an important truth: a godly man should avoid these types of woman because they represent folly. To pursue such a woman, in thought or reality, is to pursue folly.

Although these passages speak of a forbidden woman, the text address both genders. Solomon is teaching us an important principle: the kind of person we find attractive reveals a lot about our heart. Throughout the Scriptures, women are called to adorn themselves (as are men) with godly character--things that make them beautiful in the eyes of God (see 1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4). It is easy to get sidetracked by the world's standards of beauty. But are we training ourselves to be people of godly character and good works or not? Do we find godly character and good works attractive or not? Do we accept God's standard of beauty or not? We would be wise to reevaluate our understanding of beauty, and ask the Lord to help us to see as beautiful, the things which he finds beautiful. As Paul encouraged, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Phil. 4:8).