Review of Proverbs 7

by Pastor Temilolu Oluwasijuwomi

Proverbs 7 opens as we’ve seen from previous chapters with “MY SON”.  Isaiah 9:6 quickly comes to mind. It says  “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given;”

Gal 4:1- 7 (Paraphrased) Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; …God sent forth his Son, … To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

When the Preacher says “my son”, it is instructive. Under the New Covenant, these instructions are to help the sons of God maximize their inheritance in Christ. As a Son of God, you are a gift to mankind. A son is given… Since the Son is a gift of God to mankind, the Son cannot live as a child or slave. He must be groomed in the skill of the Word of Righteousness.

Heb. 5:13 | For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

When I was younger and read the book of Proverbs and I see statements like, keep my words, commandments, statues, laws, etc. I just got confused. I always thought to myself, where do I start from? Do I go to Genesis or memorize the Law etc. Thank God I know better now. The confusion is over. Each time I see those words I know they are qualifying the Word of righteousness, the Words that emphasizes God’s Grace and in fact Grace Himself – Jesus Christ.

Hence, to mature and thus perfect our skill in the Word of Righteousness, the Son should be guided by the following, outlined in the first 5 verses of this proverb. Since … strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb. 5:14

I will concentrate specifically on addictions today.

HOW DOES A PERSON BREAK FREE FROM ADDICTION THROUGH THE WORD?

1. Remind yourself of the word of Righteousness through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith [Phil 3:9] . This reminder is not a once in a while thing but a per-second thing.

2. Act from the Word of Grace. Actions come from our most dominant thoughts. When we expose ourselves sufficiently to God’s word of righteousness, our actions will line up. Col 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; … singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

3. See through the lens of Grace. 2Co 3:18 – But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

4. Wear the word of Righteousness like a wedding ring. In other words, your commitment to the word of Grace should like that of a marital relationship. Each time you are tempted to side step, you see your ring and jolt back to reality of your standing in Christ.

5. To say that wisdom is your sister or next of kin connotes trust. Remember when you want to fill an account opening form in the bank; one very vital information you will have to fill is that of your next of kin. The implication is that, in the case of death, you trust your next of kin enough to maximize your resources. God’s word is wisdom. The son of God is to have absolute trust in the Word of God even to the point of death.

The first 4 verses emphasizes how addicted the believer should be to the word of Righteousness; How resolute the believer must be as touching the Word of Righteousness. How the believer must put a filter of grace in his heart when he hears the word. How determined the believer must be to learn Christ and nothing else.

When committed to the word of righteousness, the same words will KEEP the believer from falling. Verse 5

Jude 1:24 -25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The preacher went further to paint a graphic picture of the fall of someone who is sexually immoral as well as not dedicated to the word of Righteousness.

UNMASKING ADDICTIONS

The book of James summarizes the scenario in this chapter in the following way

Jas 1:13-16  _Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Looking at the man described below, we can’t help but notice the progression

1. Drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

He passes through the street of sexual immorality. In other words, this person hangs around sexually immoral contents rather than the word of righteousness. These contents may include, but not limited to pornography, sexually oriented songs, sexually oriented conversations etc. An indigenous proverb says that what you don’t want to eat; don’t bring it close to your nose.

2. When lust hath CONCEIVED, it bringeth forth sin

The second thing you notice about this person is that they are secretive. The darkness and blackness of the night referred to in verses 9 doesn’t necessarily refer to a time of the day, but the secrecy of the person. A propensity to hide things from those who love and care. The believer is mostly an open book. When one is having struggles with sexual immorality or any besetting sin, it may help to expose such struggles to someone who can hold us accountable. It is also no secret that most victims of violent murders kept their relationship with such individuals secret.

3. When it is finished

In verse 10, notice that the harlot did not leave where she was but the person through his or her indulgences meets with this stubborn addiction. A major character of addictions is that they are loud and stubborn. Once they get hold of a person, the only voice you’ll be hearing is that of the addiction. Except the sound of the word of righteousness is louder, the struggle continues.

4. In verse 14 – 19 Addictions are fund of false promises of ecstasy and satisfaction. A promise that no one will be hurt or no one will be caught in the act. This is however not true, addictions hurt so bad, some have committed suicide out of guilt and frustration

5. Bringeth forth death.

Notice what happens in verse 21, the addiction forces the victim, not by exertion, but by flattery and fair speeches. The enemy called addiction subjects the will of the victim with fair speeches. Many people have been lured into deadly relationships via these means. Many marriages are built on lust and not genuine love. Is it not shocking how people don’t sense the danger of sin until it has overwhelmed them and they are deep in guilt, regret and sometimes death?

After these mistakes have been made, the Holy Spirit will definitely comfort you, but the scares may linger. Nobody is infallible.

Pro 7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Don’t take a break from the word of Righteousness. It is the words that we constantly give ourselves to that sustains us and help us live above sin. Commit yourself to the gospel of grace as well as soul prosperity on this platform. Let the word help you to see trouble, so you can hide yourself like Pro 22:3 says,

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Sons and Daughters of God, giving yourself to the word of God’s Grace completely will keep you from falling into life altering mistakes like the young man in the passage we have read today.

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32

Remain stabilized in Jesus name.