Proverbs 7

Bible Passage: Proverbs 7

Two words stood out as I read this chapter. They are ‘words‘ and ‘love‘. They stood out for me because of the entirely different meanings each hold when used with different intent and purpose.

Words

There is just so much we can do with words. A captivating storyteller can mesmerise thousands and move them to tears. A good motivational speaker is able to spur his listeners into believing in themselves and taking action to improve their current situation. An eloquent politician deft with his words can sway the crowd and garner votes in support for his causes. A gregarious individual who communicates well with others rapidly widens his circle of friends and acquaintances.

Let’s take a look at 2 types of ‘words’ spoken in this chapter:

v1-2 “My son, keep my words… Keep my commands and live…”

v5 “…the seductress who flatters with her words.”

v21 “With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him.”

If we have ever underestimated the power of words, never again! Wisen up! Don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t be a simpleton! (Prov 7:7-8)

Words can be used to encourage, they can also be used to put down. We use our words to flatter, we use them in slander.

Words Which Consumes Life

If we are able to guard our speech and be responsible speakers, encouraging and admonishing, more brethren will benefit from our words and give glory to God. From ministers to RE teachers to each and every one of us brothers and sisters, we need to think twice, even thrice before we open our mouths to speak. There is much room for improvement.

Gossips, lies, untruths, half-truths have no place in God’s congregation – the church. Imagine someone trying to find out about your worries and sufferings, just so they could share this information with another idle mouth. Some speak without much thought, and one can tell if they are truly earnest in finding out more about your well-being or just using their authority to fish for information. Unfortunately there may also be some, like the crafty woman recorded in this chapter, who pursue their own agenda with double-tongued smart street talk. This is deliberate deceptiveness, by pretending one set of feelings (e.g. concern) and acting under the influence of another (e.g. jealousy, lust). We know that if the men were to heed her voice, they too would have sinned. Lust breeds addiction and deception, breaks relationships and brings eternal death.

The Word Which Gives Life

v24 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children; pay attention to the words of my mouth.”

God did not mince His words when He rebuked the Israelites harshly to repentance. Yet if they heeded His words and turned in their ways shunning idolatry and evil, they were saved from eternal death!

God will judge us with His word which we have received. His word can either give us life if we choose to obey it or death if we sin and rebel against it.

Hymn 25 speaks of God’s law which is perfect and gives life. Verses from Psalms 19: 7-14 best depict the effects of God’s words:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors?

Cleanse me from secret faults.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Lustful Love

v18 “Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love.”

No, these were not words shared by a husband and wife. These were the enticing words of a seductress to a young man.

Taken in context, the ‘love’ which the harlot was describing was in fact a lustful desire. As can be seen very clearly when she slyly mentioned to the young man that he could enjoy her company as her husband is not at home (Prov 7:19). Adultery, however appealingly packaged and ‘favourable’ the conditions, is still a sin. This is also a clear example where ‘follow your heart’, as the world popularly proclaims and believes in, does not lead us to spiritual benefits. Not when ‘following your heart’ is based on a ‘feeling’ born of fleshly desire and leads to sin.

Christian Love

As we mature spiritually, we know that although it is difficult to love our ‘enemies’ (maybe not real enemies but a.k.a. people whom we have had clashes with and whom we would rather stay away from), we learn to live with them and accommodate them, especially if they are our brethren-in-Christ.

We love our ‘enemies’ because our almighty God loves even us! He made huge sacrifices for us, despite being disappointed time and again with our rebellions and filth. God being pure and sinless, taking it upon Himself to bear all our faults and pay the price of our sins for us! This is love!

Love is not just helping those who are in our circle of friends and being pally with brethren whom we are comfortable with. Love goes beyond that. It reaches out to the not-so-lovable, the loners, the lost, the timid, the uninformed, the young in faith and those weaker in faith.

When we put away spite, hatred and malice and allow God’s truth to admonish us, we will be able to experience true Christian love amongst ourselves in God’s fold. The next step would then be to further develop the wisdom to spread this Christ-like love to those not yet in the fold. If we are ill-equipped ourselves in the area of Christian love, how can we edify God and His Word in the midst of truthseekers?

May God renew us as we study His words and ponder over the meaning of Christ-like love. This Spiritual Meeting is a good time to reflect on these and more as we attempt to achieve new breakthroughs in our faith!