Easy sex will keep you from being wise.
To make this point, Solomon lists ten consequences of sexual immorality in Proverbs 6:24-35. Before reading my list, I urge you to read the passage yourself and see how many consequences you can observe. Perhaps making your own list will help you to remember these things when you face temptation.
1. You’ll participate in evil
To preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. (Prov 6:24, ESV)
Immorality is evil, and temptation is an invitation to do evil. But wisdom preserves the wise from evil. When you believe the smooth and deceitful promises of immorality, you choose guilt by association: You are now evil as well.
2. Your desire will take you captive
Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes. (Prov 6:25)
It was for freedom that Christ has set you free, but immorality seeks to enslave you. Capitulation will become easier and easier. Resistance will become more and more difficult. Far better for you to rid your heart of these fantasies while you can.
3. You’ll lose everything
For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
but a married woman hunts down a precious life. (Prov 6:26)
The cost begins low: only a loaf of bread. But with diminishing returns, you’ll need to give more and more until your very life is forfeit. Immorality hooks you while it’s cheap. A glance here, a touch there. But before you know it, you can’t sleep without sexual release. You simply can’t keep your hands off, and you’ll lose everything in the process.
4. Your punishment is inevitable
Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
none who touches her will go unpunished. (Prov 6:27-29)
You can’t tinker with immorality and hope to escape. You may be able to cover it up for a time, but you will eventually be found out. God sees everything, and he is a consuming fire.
5. You can’t repay what you’ve stolen
People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
he will give all the goods of his house…
[A jealous husband] will accept no compensation;
he will refuse though you multiply gifts. (Prov 6:30-31, 35)
The point is not to justify theft, but to condemn sexual immorality. People can understand a thief’s motives, though they still make him repay what he stole. How much less will they understand you when they find you out?
Perhaps you rob your present or future spouse of your best love and attention. Maybe you steal someone’s innocence. Or perhaps you continue supporting the horrific porn industry, which destroys young women and holds them captive. Pictures are never harmless; we must not lie to ourselves.
6. You’ll lack sense
He who commits adultery lacks sense. (Prov 6:32a)
There goes wisdom and, along with it, life and peace and satisfaction and joy.
7. You’ll destroy yourself
He who does it destroys himself. (Prov 6:32b)
We do it because it feels good. But, like an alcoholic who destroys his liver, or a smoker who disregards his lungs, we kill ourselves with good feelings. Easy sex is all about self-gratification, but Jesus said that he who loves himself loses himself. Wisdom pierces these feelings to find the truth.
8. You’ll create your own wounds
He will get wounds… (Prov 6:33)
It’s like touching a hot stove. Or using credit cards to spend money you don’t have. Or picking a scab. Or playing hopscotch on the interstate. You’ll hurt for it later, and you’ll have brought the hurt on yourself.
9. You’ll find dishonor and disgrace
He will get wounds and dishonor,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away. (Prov 6:33)
You set yourself up for constant reproach and a bad name. You’ll always be that guy who ran off with the girl and ruined a good thing (family, ministry, career, etc.).
10. You’ll lose every time
For jealousy makes a man furious,
and he will not spare when he takes revenge. (Prov 6:34)
Sexual immorality rightly infuriates. Jealous husbands will not spare on the day of revenge.
But what if your immorality doesn’t involve seducing a married person? Then there’s no jealousy to fear, right? “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom 12:19). Remember that God, the Great Husband, has a special place in his heart for those with no human protectors. Can you watch your back when it comes to him?
If, like me, you have already failed in the sexual realm, take heart and remember there’s always hope in Christ. He provides a way out. This list is not to consign you forever to guilt and punishment, but to warn you from future folly.
Travis says
Just as I forget the Gospel and lack on preaching it to myself, so it goes with immorality and the reasons to avoid it.
Okpongette says
Thanks for your assistance and advice
Brian says
I need godly grief. I can’t get this or obtain this on my own. I keep on repeating the same sexual sins and I can’t truly be a Christian and keep on doing these things–I don’t feel like I’m truly saved. Right now I’m numb and I don’t feel anything. I don’t seem to have any feeling. I feel dirty and guilty and shameful and then it fades a little but when I commit the same sexual sin it comes back in full vengeance then I’m fearful of coming to God again believing that He will reject me. I run away from Him but I know deep inside that that is not good.
It’s like I lost the desire to read God’s Word, to pray and cry out to Him to give me godly grief because I feel like He refuses to hear me and I say to myself sometimes “what’s the use, God is not going to hear me.” I’m really depressed right now and I feel very empty. And if I cry out to the Lord to give me godly grief, I wonder do I truly mean it? I mean since I don’t really feel anything and since I feel numb do I really truly mean that I want godly grief? I’m so confused and I feel like it’s all over for me. I need help, I really do. I’m crying out for help and I need it!
PLEASE HELP ME!! PLEASE!
Lauren says
Oh, Brian. I’m hurting for you right now. Your grief over your lack of grief seems to be the Helper at work in you. I don’t see people who aren’t true Children worrying over the lack of grief in their lives. The numbness seems to be the enemy at work around you, feeding you lies. Don’t buy the lies. Look to the truth. You seem so confused and hurt right now. We know that God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33) He isn’t seeking to destroy your life or to reject you. (Psalm 94:14) He loves you and has good for you! (Jeremiah 29:11) We get so caught up in our feelings and emotions, we often forsake the truth, which transcends feeling and emotion. You can also talk to your own self about it! Check out Psalm 42. “Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” How can you find peace? Thank God for working in your life through this, acknowledging to Him that you know He is at work in your life! It’s important to get the focus of our minds off of ourselves and our sin and onto the One who has already redeemed us! We must think about those good and noble things! (Philippians 4:4-9) I hope this helps even just a little, Brian. Just know that you’re not alone. I have been in the same place, dealing with this kind of sin and then wondering why I wasn’t more grieved. Just focus on the Father. He is always with you.
Sampson says
Great. I love this. God bless you and your team.
Daniel. says
Sis your passion for your brothers life is evident!! God bless you and your family….
Peter Krol says
Brian, thanks for sharing so honestly. I’m very sorry to hear of your discouragement. I also agree with Lauren’s comments about believing the truth. Though you may feel like God refuses to hear you, that doesn’t make it true.
Proverbs 4 has much to say about how to change when we feel stuck in bad patterns. You may want to check out the posts I wrote on that chapter. Begin with this one, and then click on the “Next” link at the end of each post.
Godly grief is a good thing, but I’ll warn you that it’s incredibly uncomfortable. It produces repentance (and not just more grief), which means asking some hard questions. Do I really want to change? Am I ready to do whatever it takes? What am I trying to get out of this sin, and is it worth it? Why do I love what I love, and what does the Lord want me to love instead? How does Jesus’ death give me life?
We all need help with these things. Who in your church might be in a place to help? You may also want to consider joining the 31 Days of Purity Facebook Group.
Henry says
Thanks for sharing the absolute truth.
Gifty says
Am sorry for what you went t through ( hope you don’t still feel the same after these long years). Life is a battle, especially for the youth. Cux the devil knows if he can capture a person’s youthfulness, he can destroy their purpose in God, and eventually their foundation. Firstly, I pray against every power, spell from the kingdom of hell, every high thing exalting itself in your life, be destroyed in Jesus’ name. Secondly, be strong by the power of God in your choices, yours friends, your associates. Find the right environment, the right church that teaches Purity, spend time reading your Bible, break if possible with misleading people for the righteous should choose his friends carefully. The power is in you, already given by God Luke 10:19. Overcome your feelings, the numbness, fight the good fight of faith. You can do all things through Christ who strengths you. You are an over-comer, you will prevail to the shame of the devil in Jesus’ name.
Godstime says
God so much loves you that he went ahead to say that you are the apple of his eyes.
He is always ready and there if you turn back to him with a sincere heart never to go back to that old life .
Kacey says
I’m in the same boat ,smiling inside,or well always trying. 🙂 I just know no sin is greater then another and tho these sins the sexual kind can be a bit more shameful and fill as tho it’s all over, it’s not. We got to move on brother fo real. Everyone does evil things or has sinned. We just gotta repent and keep trying. Although all the above is true words, it’s not over. It’s no different from any other sin. In a sense, it can be forgiven. We gotta work with what we got.
Tosha says
Repentance
In Jesus name
Amen
Reagan says
I was in the same situation
Study the bible daily and be consistent with it
Devote yourself to prayer at least 30min or 1hour daily two times a day.
Do confessions of Faith or Affirm the Word of God over your life.
Your emotions, desires will align with what you say
Jeff D Watson says
yes you can get free. if there is bad fruit there is bad root. It can be self-Hatred or rejection. You can be hurting from a father wound.
Jeff
Zander says
Just keep running to Him, read every day. We’ll be okay.
Nankunda Janepher says
Persistence, don’t give up one day the chain will be broken. Continue taking it to him. He is a loving father and he feels your pain right now and he is willing to deliver you. Be violent against this sin engage in spiritual warfare, because you’re dealing with tough spirits. The battle is real and he will join you in the battle and give you victory. Some scriptures to help you James 4:7-10, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 8:1 Luke 10:19. These are spirits we’re dealing with. Repent, break convenants and soul ties. It took me a whole year in battle and i had agents of the enemy assigned against me so that i would not overcome, until God gave me a word and told me he was taking over and going to fight for me and he has done so. Trust me it was a bloody battle. But as i talk now im a free soul and i pray he does the same for you. I feel your frustration.
Elias says
There is something that you don’t understand about God’s love for us. Despite your sinful ways, He still loves you and He’s waiting for you to change so that He can give you His full graces and protection through His own Holy Spirit. Make time with a Priest or Pastor and you will get to know how God is eagerly waiting you n shower you with His abundant love. I promise you, you’ll experience his love, you’ll feel it all around you.
Read the Bible about the prodigal son, he was accepted back by his father without conditions.
God guide and bless you as you prepare to change.
Sweetie Williams says
John 10:10; The thief comes ONLY to STEAL, KILL and DESTROY. I came that they may have LIFE, and have it (LIFE) abundantly.
The devil will not stop until he has fulfilled his mission and what he is determined to do with you, me or anyone else. Once we are destroyed by taking our own lives, then we will not inherit what Christ came to do for us. To give us LIFE eternally (forever).
John 14:6; I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. NO one(meaning you, me) can come to the Father, but through HIM (Jesus)
Why do we need to get to the Father? Because He is, He has and He will give you, me and anyone else LIFE to live here on earth, obey His WAY by HIS TRUTH so we can live, then finally upon our departure from earth either when we die or upon Christ’s return we will experience what Paul says in Philippians 1:21;” For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” While I’m alive, I am going to live for Christ, so when I die, I have gain (receive) what Jesus has in store for me. John 10:10…..I have come that you may have LIFE and have it abundantly.”
Praying that the Spirit of God will keep your mind soul and spirit in His perfect peace, now and forever more. I love you in the name of Jesus, amen🙏🏼🙌🏽🌺🔥✝️🇺🇸
Michael Johnson says
Fan-dang-tastic, Peter! Not only will I be sharing this post with the Future Marriage University (FMU) community at https://www.facebook.com/FMUniversity, I’ll be sharing numerous quotes from it (of course giving credit where it is due) as Inspiration for Saving Sex which I feature throughout each week day on Facebook and Twitter (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23InspirationForSavingSex%20%40FMUniversity&src=typd). Keep on speaking the truth in love!
MithrandirOlorin says
The thing about the “Strange Woman” of Proverbs, is that the word for Strange means “Foreigner” or “Alien” (Goyim did not mean that in Biblical Hebrew). But like all references you take as referencing Foreigner Negatively, I believe being Spiritual Foreign is the point, a worshiper of foreign gods. Which is demonstrated when one looks at Solomon’s own life.
Though an association with the specific Sin of Prostitution does possibly exist.
What most people think of as “Christian” Sexual Morality is actually the Sexual Morality Plato advocated in The Laws. It started entering the Jewish traditions because of Hellenized Jewish philosophers like Philo. And then many of the so called “Early Church Fathers” also revered Plato and other Greek writers, culminating in Augustine who taught it a Sin to even enjoy Sex.
The words commonly translated “Fornication” or “Fornicator” in the KJV and sometimes “Sexual Immorality” in more modern Bibles, actually words that quite specifically refereed to Prostitution.
There is no Biblical Basis for saying ALL Sex outside Marriage is a Sin.
And the verses from Leviticus and Paul alleged to condemn Homosexuality are about specific Pagan ritual sex acts that involved Anal Sex. Meanwhile Ezekiel 16 and Jesus and Paul in Hebrews define the sin of Sodom as being inhospitable to strangers and not taking care of their Poor. Basically they were Trump supporters.
I talk about all this in depth on my Sola Scriptura Christian Liberty blogspot blog.
Zama Gantsho says
What do you make of Adultry then??
Usman Danladi says
You do not have Part in this discussion; because are already in the prison of your mind and you have closed it to the truth of the word of God. 2Tim 3: 1-9. Hope the Holy Ghost will arrest you someday.
omo says
our ( my fiance and i) relationship was defined,after the second year I took him to my pastor and then we joined the intending couple’s class. ever since then we ‘ve been engaging in sexual sin , and we always feel guilty about it. I find it very difficult to talk God because I always feel that there’s no connection. also we were planning to have a church wedding can we still go ahead.
SAMUEL says
my name is samuel I have been rising and falling I have a gf who is addicted to sex we meet last year ever since them my last as change I keep going back to her even though I have break up with her several times …my spiritual life died can’t pray again ..I feel so ashamed and guilty when even I’m done having sex with her ..some times I hate for everything that as been happening to be I feel like if we never meet maybe my life wouldn’t be so bad ..I’m really tired I need help
Danladi .M. Fenu says
The way out, is to make a very strong’s determination and allow yourself to be influenced by the words or activities of God.
James Gichuru says
Thank you for i have found this to be of great help . Am new in ministry and as a pastor i such like to learn more.
Clive says
Best answer: you will wreck your relationship with your spouse (future or present), and diminish your parenting ability. Then, you will find, on reflection, that it wasn’t worth it.
Kenny says
I thank God for this article… It is very helpful
Jeff D Watson says
yes you can get free. if there is bad fruit there is bad root. It can be self-Hatred or rejection. You can be hurting from a father wound.
Jeff
felipe says
can a person permanently dissociate from this uncleaness
Lydia says
Thanks for this informative speech
God bless you a bless others.
Derek says
Good morning, what is the Bible talking about fornication, what are the disadvantages of fornication.
Daniel says
15 Biblical Ways To Deal With Sexual Sin
* Understand yourself. You’re not alone in this. 1 Corinthians 10:13… “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Human beings are fallible. No one gets it right, nobody here is perfect. Even the wisest and most godly among us are still subject to human error. The Bible says “for all have sin and have fall short of the glory of God “. Again the Bible warns…”Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]”. 1 Corinthians 10:11
* Accept that you are living in sin. Don’t deny or reject the truth. 1 John 1:9…”if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
* Do not justify yourself anymore. Give up!… the Bible says “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
* See sexual sin as God sees it. Bible says “it is a deadly sin. Sexual sin destroys you! It’s not a joke and it’s not something to laugh over”.
* Handle it as God says it. God says…”flee”. Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife. He rejected the free offer.
* Discipline yourself. Tame your sexual passion. Apostle Paul said “I keep my body under discipline” 1 Corinthians 9:27. ——the apostle Paul compared the Christian struggle with training for a sporting event (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). Athletes put in great effort and much time to prepare to compete—all for a temporary reward. How much more should a Christian sacrifice his sexual appetite for the eternal crown God offers?——Paul applied this to himself. He fought diligently to grow in self-discipline, obedience and endurance so that he would pass the test. He did not want to disappoint God or those he had preached to—he wanted to partake of the fulfillment of the good news with them (verse 23).——Paul said he could become disqualified. He did not believe that once you are saved, you are always saved.
* Avoid places of temptation. Jesus Christ said, “…and lead us not into temptation “ Matthew 6:13… “Remove your way far from her (sexual immorality), And do not go near the door of her (sexual immorality) house, Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one;” Proverbs 5:8-9
* Take captive of every thought. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” —Our thought life is important! A single random thought does not make sin, but dwelling on it, expanding upon it, pitching camp there—that’s where sin begins to germinate. Choose to focus your thoughts on the right things. We are to think about those things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable” (Phil. 4:8). When we think about those things, God promises to give us His peace.
* Seek spiritual Counseling. —— “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22
* Change your company/community. 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character” ——James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
* Be accountable to someone you trust. —— James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
* Identify what triggers your urge for sexual sin (e.g. boredom, stress, drugs, alcohol, spending time with the opposite sex in secluded areas)— Intentionally avoid situations that position you for weakness.
* Be aware of the sexual desires of your flesh; and walk in the Spirit . Galatians 5:16-17,19 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish, Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness and the like”
* Be prayerful and fast purposely. With prayer you strengthen your inner man. You’re empowered by the Holy Spirit… “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41
* Arm yourself with the Word & worship… “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13
Nankunda Janepher says
Powerful. God bless.
oseni Olayemi says
blessed reading it
Thaddeus Muli says
Am blessed by this text.
Terry says
Thanks Very Much