Walk in the Way of Life

"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress" (Prov. 6:23).

The "evil"  adulteress woman is used as a type in the book of Proverbs. Solomon is trying to get his son(s) to understand that wrong woman can destroy a man.  Her power to destroy is not so much in her actions or nature, although she is corrupt and acts without honor.  The power of destruction lies in the man's choice of such a woman.  The heart of her power rests in the foolishness of the man who embraces her.  She represents the path of foolishness which leads to destruction.

Solomon says the remedy for young men, who are tempted to follow her wayward path, is to let the commandment shine light on him.  He says, "The command is a lamp and the teaching a light."  Thus, the Word of God illuminates the mind to instruct it in the right ways to go.  The command says, "Do not commit adultery" and Jesus adds, "If a man looks at a woman to lust after her, he has committed adultery in his heart."  The command warns us not to covet our neighbor's spouse (or anything else they have).

The commandment sets the boundaries for safe conduct.  We are experience some flooding in our area.  The roads have been blocked of because there is water over them.  They are not safe to pass for many reasons.  Wisdom looks at these warnings and seeks alternative roots.  Likewise, the commandment says, "These roads a dangerous."  Death awaits those who follow along these paths.  Maybe a person will beat the odds for a time, but on judgment day justice will be served.

Sometimes, we don't heed good advice, and we take some hard knocks because of it.  Solomon says, "The reproofs of discipline are the way of life."  So you drive through high water, you car stalls and now you have a big bill for towing and cleaning.  At least you lived, and hopefully learned.  Maybe you saw on the news where someone was swept away while driving through water over the road, and you thought I'll never do that again.  Reproof stings when it lands on us.  Discipline is unpleasant, but a heart corrected is a heart alive.

Solomon express universal truths: the commands of God illuminate our minds to his desires and requirements, the teachings of his Word offer us light to guide us, and discipline is a necessary corrective.  He applies these truth to sexual immorality, in general (the evil woman), and adultery, in particular (the adulteress).  Solomon knew what it was to have wondering eyes and fickle heart.  He knew how destructive loving the wrong woman (or women) could be.  So he wants to point his sons in a different direction.  In essence, he is saying, "I was a fool to neglect God's standards, and you would be a fool to follow my example in this."

Is Solomon were alive today, with his 700 wives and 300 concubines, society would expect him to be in rehab for his sexual addiction.  He would be vilified for his insatiable desire for female companionship, and he would probably agree.  He had permitted his heart to wonder without restraint.  His wisdom, knowledge, wealth, and power brought him into unprecedented fame.  His head (and his heart) swelled with foolish pride.  He lost his balance, and fell into disgrace.  Throughout Proverbs, Solomon warns against such foolishness.

Friends, the Word offers boundaries that protect.  The cones and signs that block access to flood covered roads are not there to hinder our freedom.  They are there to protect our lives, and to rescue us from what lies unseen, beneath the surface.  Likewise, the commands do not hinder our freedom.  They protect our lives, and rescue us from the dangers we cannot see.  Allow the Word to illuminate your path, and walk in the way of life.

Confession Vs. Isolation

I am currently reading, Edward T. Welch's book Addictions-A Banquet in the Grave. The book offers sound biblical advice on how we should help others who are struggling with addiction. Throughout the book he reminds us that we all struggle with sin. Today I came across a statement that reminded me of an important truth. Concerning our own struggle, he states, "Any steps toward isolation and independence are steps into darkness. Don't go there" (page 114).

That simple warning expresses a profound truth. Sin seeks to isolate us from others so it can wreak more havoc in our lives. The author of Ecclesiastes writes, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Eccl. 4:9-10, ESV).

Sin uses our shame to isolate us in order to push us farther into the darkness, so it may devour us. That is why confession is so important. When we live transparent lives, sin can't consume us. If we are continually open to rebuke and correction from others, if we are continually walking in a spirit of humble repentance, if we are continually confessing our sins to the Lord, then sin cannot have power over us.

It may trip us. It may fall upon us with rage and drag us kicking and screaming down with it, but I can't truly own us. When we place our faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are given Christ righteousness. As we mature in Christ, we find ourselves running to the cross more and more. For it is through the atoning work of Christ that we find forgiveness and cleansing. It is wrongheaded to believe that the closer we grow to Christ, the less we need the cross. In actuality, it is the opposite.

As we become more openly confessional, sin cannot drive us into isolation. First, in order to confess our sins to one another we must walk in humility. Humility leads to transparency. Second, when all of our skeletons are out of the closet, so to speak, what can sin hang over our head? How can it keep us hiding? Or more importantly, how can it keep us obedient to it, if we open ourselves up to rebuke and correction from our Christian brothers and sisters? The truth is when believers walk in continual confession and repentance, before God and one another, sin loses strength.

If you don't believe me, try an experiment. Think of a struggle (with sin) you are currently having. Now, have you talked to anyone about it, in order to overcome it? If you say, "Yes," how did you feel about it? Better or worse? If no, do you feel better keeping it a secret? Or does that secret make you afraid of what people might think if they found out? Do you get nerves around people when are talking about their struggles, and wish you could be so free? If you feel like there is a cloud hanging over your head, if you feel ashamed and weary, if you are absolutely terrified at the thought of sharing you personal life with another, sin has a tighter grip on you than you think. Sin always seeks to isolate, then it dominates. As long as our sin goes on unconfessed to God (and when necessary to others), as long as it goes on unrepented of, then sin has us tight within its teeth.

Break free today. Confess your sins to the Lord and he will forgive you (see 1 John 1:9). If need be, confess your sins to one another (see James 5:16), and you will find healing. Find someone with whom you can share your darkest secrets, speak to them openly and honestly about your struggles, ask them to pray for you and to hold you accountable. With confession we step out of the dark into the light.