February 24, 2008

GRAZE IN YOUR OWN PASTURE

Proverbs 5

v1 - my son  - this is written to born again believers

a.) their ear - watch what you listen to

v2 - the lips or the mouth - do not listen to bad stuff and bad stuff will not come out of your lips

v3 - watch out for strange women - this speaks of any kind of immorality

2 things to note:

1. There is a temptation in all of us to think that we could never be involved in immorality

a. it could happen because of our fallen nature - Romans 3:10-12

b. it could happen because we do have an active opponent - Eph 6:11-12

2. There is a temptation to forget that sin is fun for a season

vs4-6 - you never see the end result

v4 - IN THE END......................

-there is always an end

-there is always a result

vs7-23 - Solomon shows us how to avoid falling into the trap of immorality

(1) BE CAUTIOUS - vs7-8

-RUN - 1 Corinthians 6:18 - flee immorality

(2) BE CRITICAL - vs9-14

-this is counting the losses that will result from being involved in immorality

vs9,11 - personal losses

-dishonor - loss of respect, our testimony, name, integrity

-health - v11 -

v9 - life is shortened

-by this lifestyle

v10 - financial loss -

v14 - spiritual loss

(3) BE CONTENT - vs15-20

a.) what you have is good concerning your current mariage - v15

-no marriage is perfect

b.) stay where you are - vs16-18

-cistern is singular

-God has called you right where you are at

v18 - be thankful/laugh/point out the good things

c.) sex is only for marriage - vs19-20

-vs16-17 - do not be sexually promiscuous

(4) BE CONVICTED - vs21-23

a.) the Lord sees everything we do

b.) v22 - we all reap what we sow

c.) v23 - it could affect our eternal destination

-Ephesians 5:5-7