Feb 4 2018 How Wisdom Deals with Temptation

Thank You that You love us and we are your beloved. We recognize that our sins don’t cause You to love us less – and we are grateful for that. As we continue in our worship – speak to our hearts – may we know, deeply and intimately, Your love for us and our position in You – that in You we are victorious.
Proverbs 7:4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative,
We are to become intimate with Wisdom – like the priority of a family – and here is why it is so important:
5 so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words.
We have been focusing on the positive side of things – and this week we will focus on some of the negative.
There are two levels of meaning when we speak about adultery - first, on the obvious level, it is unfaithfulness in marriage – and in Proverbs, there are also two levels – the plain – marital unfaithfulness. But the Bible also refers to any unfaithfulness to God and His people as adultery. When Israel worshiped idols, God called them adulterers.
Adultery, in a sense of any attitudes in our hearts that leads us away from God – that will be our focus today and we will look at any form of temptation.
“Who flatters with her words” – this temptress – as we look at her, she comes to her prey – her victim – and she flatters him. What this tells us – marital unfaithfulness is not just about sex. Yes, that is the outcome of marital unfaithfulness, but there is a deeper heart level. There is a sense of inner brokenness that leads to unfaithfulness in our relationship with God. It always stems from an inner brokenness – from holes in our souls. The enemy knows these holes – where the brokenness is and then exploits it. This temptress knows the weakness of the young man and exploits it.
This inner brokenness causes us to have needs – to feel significant – important – treasured/valued – appreciated and desired. When there is marital unfaithfulness – one or both begin to feel like those needs are not being met by their partner so they go seeking those needs somewhere else. So it is in our relationship with God.
What we need most in our hearts is to know that we are loved and that we are the beloved. In that lies the answer – knowing that we are loved and beloved. That is critical in a marriage. Both spouses need to know that. In there lies the strength and source of victory. When we cease knowing we are loved and beloved by God, we fall into trouble.
We will look at temptation and how it works, but we will look at the source of it all.
This section goes on into a story
We will look at two negative characters: The temptress and the naïve:
6 For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice,
7 And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; And he takes the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the middle of the night and in the darkness.
The purpose of what we are looking at today is to help us avoid the sin and destruction that the naïve/simple bring upon themselves. That is what is going to happen here. This naïve young man is about to bring upon himself sin and destruction.
When we look at this story – on first glance, this naïve young man appears to have one goal in mind. It looks like he is intentional about it – but the text is not clear. It is possible that he is simply naïve, oblivious and clueless, and unaware of what is going to take place – or, he is simply curious, wondering what it is like in that part of town, OR, he is intentional – going on purpose.
I think it is purposely written that way – unclear, so that we don’t pigeonhole. But it is obvious: He is in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is saying this to us: no matter how you get there – naïve, curious, or having intent – learn: Do not be in the wrong place at the wrong time – trouble happens.
I used to do campus ministry – we used to say – after 10 or 11 pm, usually nothing good happens.
If you have high school kids – unless they are in a lock-in or at home – nothing good happens late into the night.
When you think of naïve or simple, don’t think of someone with a lack of intelligence. There are many intelligent/shrewd about many things and how things work in this world – they know how to get things done - but naïve when it comes to sin. They may be shrewd in all the ways of the world, but when it comes to sin, they are naïve and simple.
You think – how can someone be so incredibly successful and yet so naïve about sin and how it captures us?
What we see in this story – the opportunity to fail is everywhere. Now Proverbs continually talks about the person who is not naïve or simple: The prudent.
Prudence is the opposite. Crafty/shrewd/clever/thoughtful
A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty. (Pro 27:12 NAU)
The naive believes everything, But the prudent man considers his steps.
(Pro 14:15 NAS)
The prudent are able to see the long-term consequences of action. They see down the road and realize that doing this will end up bad. It may feel good now, it may satisfy now – but there will be the piper to pay.
It is the person who says – if I send out that tweet… If I post those comments… If I click on that bait… If I open that refrigerator! The prudent person knows there are traps everywhere. To be prudent, we must recognize consequences.
Back to the story – the naïve wanders down the wrong street…
10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
(She is clever and crafty – not prudent – but tricky). This is similar language to the serpent in the garden.
11 She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home;
12 She is now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner.
There are multiple opportunities – how temptation keeps hitting us.
13 So she seizes him and kisses him And with a brazen face she says to him:
14 "I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows.
She is aggressive. Temptation will come after us. The enemy is aggressive and wants to destroy us.
15 "Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you.
The enemy prowls about seeking someone to devour.
“I have gone to church – I have done confession – I have come out to seek you – we have been brought together by fate! – it must be God’s will!”
16 "I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt.
17 "I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
The tempter makes sin look appealing and attractive. The serpent said – look at this shiny fruit – how beautiful – think how good it will taste – you don’t know what you’re missing!
18 "Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses.
19 "For my husband is not at home, He has gone on a long journey;
20 He has taken a bag of money with him, At the full moon he will come home."
She convinces him that there will be no consequences for his action. Like the devil said to Eve – surely you shall not die – there will be no consequences from eating this piece of fruit.
We need to be aware of his schemes.
Today is the Super Bowl – and the Browns aren’t in it again. But you can bet that the coaches have been watching the films of the other team. He knows their every move. Otherwise, they are gone if they don’t have a chance.
In our Super Bowls of temptation – where are your weaknesses? Where are his strengths? If they can do it for a stupid football game, why can’t we do it for something that is much more important?
21 With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him.
The enemy is persistent. Nonstop. And we can be assured that the temptation will not stop. It is not like you turn 60 and ‘that’s it – you get a break!’
22 Suddenly he follows her - As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
This is how temptation works. Temptation keeps coming, breaking down our defenses, until we have lowered our shields (as they say in Star Trek) – and then, when the defenses are down, it hits. We act quickly on impulse. It feels like – it just happened! We think there was nothing we could have done about it. But there have been a series of events and choices that led to this sudden action. We feel like we can’t stop because it happens so quickly. The final act may be quick and sudden, but there are events that lead – the longing, looking, flirting, touching, grasping, and then engaging. It doesn’t start with engaging.
23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths.
26 For many are the victims she has cast down, And numerous are all her slain.
James 1:No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
14 But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it;
Inside of each of us are broken parts (own desires – strong impulses) – holes in our souls – bent in a certain way to fall into temptation by our sinful fallen nature. Lusts that we are bent toward. The enemy knows these weaknesses and how to go after them
15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.
One wrote: “What one person finds as intense temptation, another may not find as even an enticement. Temptations are tailored to the individual, and so we as believers must never belittle a person for struggling with something we consider as inane. Instead, we must realize that each of us has particular battles nuanced specifically for us.”
We tend to think – mine is not as bad as his – not true – they are just yours – and the enemy knows what those are – do you? Do you know the root causes? Do you know the wounds and brokenness that cause you to go there? The source of the problem is not the action itself, it is something much deeper.
1 Cor. 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
“Provide a way of escape”
Here is the good news – the temptations you experience, you are not alone, there are others who experience them. If there are a hundred people in a room – there are 15 – or 50, or 70 or 80 or 90- who have the same struggle – who share your temptations.
We think – I am the only one who has this problem. We hide it – we cover it up – we never talk about it. We convince ourselves that no one is as bad as me. What would others think if they knew? I’m all alone in this. The more we bury it, the more powerful it becomes in our lives. It is only when it is brought to the light that it can be addressed and becomes weak.
But there are others – others we can connect with to share our struggles with and get help from. It is so important to have that support structure. Alcoholics Anonymous does this really well – sponsors who hold you accountable. We need those structures in our lives – one or two people we can be honest with – ones who will support and help and encourage and accept us – knowing what we are like. We all need this at some level. In the church, there are others who can do this with you.
Second – there is always an exit. The problem is, we rarely have exit strategies. Always. Every single temptation. We need to learn to find these.
I think a big part of this – escape route – don’t be like the naïve and simple, but the prudent. The naïve is in the wrong place at the wrong time – he puts himself in a position – where he has lost the strength to resist the temptation. We need to know that going there is a mistake. Even if you’re strong, you don’t realize that going there weakens you. You think you’re strong.
Romans – “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” – don’t allow things into your life that allow you to be tempted. Get rid of whatever causes you to stumble. Do what you need to do. Jesus says, If your eye causes you to stumble – pluck it out! He is not saying to do surgery, rather, do what it takes to keep it from your life. Obviously – in our world, we need computers – they are part of our jobs - but we need parameters – guards – in how they are used. We do this for children – why do we not do it for ourselves?
Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Pro 13:20 ESV)
Watch who you hang out with. Who are your companions. Yes, we need to be with the unsaved to win them to Christ, but not to learn from them… We should engage and have friendships with those who aren’t following Christ – fo rhte purpose of loving, serving and inning them to Christ. But there is a difference between that and being a companion of fools.
Ps. 1:1 How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! 2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD's commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. (Psalm 1:1 NET)
That does not mean that we are not around non-Christians – but we know there is a difference between that and just enjoying bad company.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Peter takes all these things we have been talking about – we have these lusts – but in Christ, we have the ability to be different. We no longer need to be that way. He gives us the power to be different, changed, and transformed. (Then he talks about all these qualities that make us like Christ)
9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
This takes us back to the beginning. If you find yourself consistently failing in the temptations that you face – the problem is not that you are not trying hard enough or that you don’t have a strong enough will – the problem is you have forgotten something – you are loved and the beloved. Your sins have been taken care of on the cross. The key is the cross. It was at the cross where Christ won the victory over sin once and for all. We have all this stuff we have been talking about – lust – evil desires – and God has given us all that we need to not fall. We have the capacity because Christ is in us to win the victory.
We fall into temptation because we forget what Christ has done for us. The cross of Christ is the key to victory. It was at the cross that Jesus won victory over sin – and it is at the cross –when we focus on it and our hearts are moved – that we get victory over sin.
Shame is the power behind sin in our lives. It allows our struggles to continue. But at the cross, shame has been taken away – completely taken away. If we have come to Christ, we can live a life without shame. God calls us to that. Let’s pray.