Proverbs 9:17-18(KJV)
Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; And that her guests are in the depths of hell.
The saying goes that illicit pleasure is sweeter than legal pleasure, but such pleasure has severe consequences. Here Solomon used water and bread as metaphors for sexual pleasure. It’s easy to see what it means, and the behavior of the masses shows that the adage has permeated them. On it are built all the adulterous intercourses in the land. In this proverb, a prostitute woman tries to calm a man down by telling him how much she enjoys a sinful relationship. She lies that secret dates would be more fun if they were banned. Adulterers and fornicators viciously lie and offer seductive sexual gratification beyond the realities of married life. Satan has persuaded many to spread the lie that fornication, adultery, and sodomy are fearless pleasures, but it is the highway to disaster. The sweet apple may look ripe, but it may be rotten inside. Stolen water is cute! The secret bread is fun; forbidden relationships promise life but bring destruction, death, and divorce. Like fire, it becomes destructive if it gets out of control. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” This lie that stolen water is sweet makes us vulnerable to sickness, satanic attacks, and curses.
In this life, sexual sins lie more than most. Many believe the lie that sexual immorality is especially sweet and pleasant. The prohibition of sin increases its splendor, and the effort to cover it up increases deeds. Evil women and modern society paint sexual immorality as fun with little consequences, but death and hell are terrible consequences. Sinful fantasies of the forbidden and mysteries create strange desires that destroy people’s souls and lives. Sexual immorality has fatal consequences because sin lies about its goodness. And no sin is truly kept secret. Amnon adored his beautiful sister, but the aftertaste of raping her was terrifying and deadly. Eli found family dinners with his sons enjoyable, but a lack of discipline caused his family tree to disappear. For only a moment, Gehazi enjoyed money and clothes but enjoyed the curse of leprosy for life. Satan told Judas that 30 pieces of silver would be a fine price and that Jesus could deliver Himself from the Jews, but the aftertaste of that sin was so bitter that Judas returned the money and felt gruesome guilt. He hanged himself by suicide. Satan never told him that part of the deal. And he never tells people about the terrible consequences of sexual sin. The truth is, the flesh will pose the immediate and temporary gratification and cover up the ultimate, gigantic, and massive loss without recovery. Many people are drawn by their lustful thoughts that lead them into further sin and death. Others are stagnant in life because they committed this dangerous act. In our longing for intimacy, we must not settle for swiftness. No one commits adultery out of love, for love respects marriage bonds and God’s intent for sex. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.” The temptation to sin may initially seem sweet and pleasant, but it has negative effects. It is important to resist temptation and seek God’s wisdom to make the right choices in life.
Beloved, indulging in sexual sin is always a losing proposition. It strips the glory of God away from you and clothes you in rags and shame. It never adds anything to you but always takes away your prized possessions. Your life as a Christian is a living witness to others, and you cannot break the laws of God without hindering others from coming to Christ. You must live in holiness before this sinful and wicked world, not according to their standards but to God’s standard in the Bible. Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it has sinned. So, knowing not to commit adultery and doing it is a sin before God. Today, cut down every tree of adulterous lust in your heart before it cuts off your destiny. Whatever separates God from you is something to resist by all means! God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. Ask God to forgive and help you if you are struggling with a lifestyle of immorality. Avoid any act or association that could lead to adultery. Remember, stolen water is sweet, but flee to escape destruction.
O Lord, give me the grace not to fall into any trap of adultery. Help me not to become a victim of immorality in Jesus’ Name.