Stay Out of Her Neighborhood

Proverbs 5:7-11

I’d like to think I’m thrifty. Patti may have another word for it. This should have been clear to her right from the beginning of our marriage. I was a full-time student, so money was tight. A honeymoon to Hawaii or Jamaica would have been nice but Missouri is lovely in July. I became aware of a place where we could stay a few days for free as long as we took the required tour and listened to the sales pitch. Perfect.

Now just for context, Patti would rather get a root canal than do one of these tours. She can’t even step on a car lot without breaking into hives. Poor girl. Me, on the other hand, no problem. “It’ll be fun! We get a little tour and free housing for a few days. I mean, it’s not like they’re going to murder you or anything.”

How did it go? Let’s just say we’re still married 41 years later so that’s good. Did I mention I also won her a stuffed animal at Worlds of Fun? That should count for something. Right honey?

Here’s how I see it. It didn’t bother me because I knew it was coming. That was the agreement. The salespeople could say whatever clever thing they wanted to say but we had no money. I knew that going in. Twist my arm all you like; my mind was made up before we ever arrived. There was no reason to be anxious. It wasn’t happening.

But if you are easily persuaded by motivated salespeople then don’t sign up for a deal like this. It’s high pressure. You know it’s coming. If you fear you might give in, then stay away. I do wonder how many people have shown up with no intention of buying anything only to be persuaded to sign on the bottom line to purchase something they can’t afford and didn’t really want.

In last week’s blog we met the ultimate con artist, the strange woman. She’s good at what she does. Her high body count bears witness to her effectiveness. But Proverbs warns us she’s out there. She’s stalking victims. There’s no excuse for getting caught off guard. She’s coming for you so be prepared. Make up your mind to walk uprightly now.

In our Proverb this week we receive some very practical advice. Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house. Or else. In other words, stay out of her neighborhood. This is not a game. The stakes are high.

What does this mean in practical terms? Sexual sin doesn’t just happen. There are gradual steps that lead up to the moment of destruction. It’s a careless step here. A compromise there. Next thing you know you are hanging around outside of her house. At that point she’s got you and she knows it. You’re on her turf and she’ll have no problem luring you inside and finishing you off.

Victory over temptation requires we deal with it at the earliest stages. Recognize the lies. Be truthful with yourself. Stop the fade before you’re in too deep. Sexual sin doesn’t just happen. You knew it was coming. You compromised again and again until you found yourself signing on the bottom line for something you can’t afford. Now you’re in trouble.

If you don’t stay away from the strange woman’s house, here’s what you can expect. You will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one; and strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; and you groan at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed. What a terrible consequence and it all started when you decided to hang out in the strange woman’s neighborhood.

Maybe you convinced yourself you’d never go in. You’d never listen to what she has to say. Oh, is that her house? You didn’t even realize this was her neighborhood. No, you would never ring her doorbell, you’re just resting there on her front porch.

Take it from someone who has witnessed far too much of this destruction. Sexual sin never just happens. There are plenty of warning signs if we’ll just be honest with ourselves. You’re headed in the wrong direction and you know it. Now what?

What do you believe is right? What will bring you joy and what will lead to misery? Is God more likely to tell you the truth or the strange woman? Step one is you need to settle this. The sales pitch is coming. It’s everywhere in our culture. Can you afford to buy in or not? Settle it now. What’s it going to be?

If you are determined to walk uprightly then set yourself up for success. Stay out of the strange woman’s neighborhood. If you aren’t supposed to eat doughnuts, then stay out of the doughnut shop. This isn’t complicated. Stay away. Don’t flirt with disaster. You won’t win.

Where does the temptation come from for you? What changes do you need to make? What can you do to set yourself up for success? What would it look like to trust God for victory in this area of your life? Who do you need to talk to? No more excuses. No more steps in the wrong direction. It’s never too late to experience God’s forgiveness and find freedom in this area. Make up your mind today you’re not going to buy what the strange woman is selling. Settle it now because the sales pitch is coming.