Proverbs 7 - Avoiding Sexual Sin pt VI

- this morning we're going to move into Proverbs chapter 7, the third of 3 chapters in this book especially addressing sexual sin.
- I know that we didn't completely finish chapter 6, but I'd like us to keep moving and we'll bring some ideas from chapter 6 into our discussion of chapter 7 as time allows because these ideas obviously all fit together.

- the overall outline Warren Wiersbe uses for these chapters is:
I. Sexual Sin is Eventually Disappointing - Chapter 5
II. Sexual Sin is Gradually Destructive - Chapter 6
III. Sexual Sin is Ultimately Deadly - Chapter 7

- read Proverbs 7

III. Sexual Sin is Ultimately Deadly

- these verses describe a young man who is caught in sexual sin.
- he stops behaving like a person created in the image of God and starts behaving like an animal, which is an excellent picture of how sexual sin affects an individual.
- as we pointed out in the other chapters, this discussion begins with an emphasis on the Word of God.

A. God's Word will keep you from this death.

- we won't take time to look at each phrase since these concepts have been addressed in the previous chapters…but let me ask you:

INPUT - What concepts do you see in verses 1-5 that are especially important? How do they relate to the statements about God's Word in the previous two chapters?

[point out the relationship between 6:22 and 7:4]

B. A person who sins sexually tempts himself.

INPUT - what is the relationship between James 1:13 [God does not tempt us] and Matthew 6:13 [Lead us not into temptation]?
- asking God to help us not take steps into temptation that will lead to actions of sin…["Don't go there" is the more contemporary phrase].

- this young man is setting himself up to fall.
- INPUT - How?

1. out at night with no particular reason or purpose
2. goes by her house

- cf. Proverbs 5:8 - Keep your way far from her
- cf. Job 31:1 - I have made a covenant with my eyes
- cf. Proverbs 3:26, 4:27 - Let the Word of God guide your feet

- INPUT - Do you agree that this man is tempting himself, and how might a person do a similar thing today? How can we prevent this?

C. A person who sins sexually will be tempted by others.

- once he has set himself on this path, he finds someone who will be glad to participate in the temptation.
- it is not that the sin is the other person's fault, but that many people in this world are more than happy to help you sin.
- INPUT - Why is that?

- please notice the steps…

1. She comes out to meet him - v. 10

- she's waiting…

2. Her dress is part of the temptation - v. 10

- develop - the issue of modesty

3. She is loud and rebellious - v.11

- her actions flow out of her character…
- her feet will not stay at home

4. I will make you a wonderful meal - v. 14
- that’s the point of the peace offering--she would have meat leftover from that offering

5. I want you - v. 15
- notice the flattering speech…

6. I am ready for you - v. 16-18
- notice the appeal to all the senses…feeling orientation on steroids
7. No one will know - v. 19-20
- her husband will be gone for some time

8. The temptation is all wrapped up in words - v. 21

- develop the different ways this concept is emphasized in this verse
- many persuasions
- entices him
- flattering lips
- seduces him

D. A person who sins sexually tempts the Lord.

- Wiersbe makes a good point when he says that humans are the only part of God's creation who can choose what kind of creature we want to be.
- we can choose to be like a sheep following our master….or we can choose to be like an ox going to the slaughter.

- [if time, tie in the idea of being burned from the previous chapter]

Wiersbe – Fire is a good thing if it’s confined and controlled. It can keep us warm, cook our food, drive turbines, and manufacture our electricity. Sex is a good gift from God but, like fire, if it gets out of control, it becomes destructive. What begins as a “warm” experience soon becomes a burning experience, like holding a torch in your lap or walking on burning coals.
“But sex is a normal desire, given to us by God,” some people argue. “Therefore, we have every right to use it, even if we’re not married. It’s like eating: If you’re hungry, God gave you food to eat; if you’re lonely, God gave you sex to enjoy.” Some of the people in the Corinthian church used this argument to defend their sinful ways: Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods” (1 Cor. 6:13, NKJV). But Paul made it clear that the believer’s body belonged to God and that the presence of a desire wasn’t the same as the privilege to satisfy that desire (vv. 12-20).

- INPUT - Has anyone here ever been burned, or seen anyone burned? What is that like? What picture is being painted here?
- develop kid at hayride jumping over the fire and falling in.

- cf. Hebrews 13:4 - fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Adult Bible Fellowship
Avoiding Sexual Sin #6
Proverbs Series #24

Introduction

I. Sexual Sin is Eventually Disappointing - Chapter 5
II. Sexual Sin is Gradually Destructive - Chapter 6
III. Sexual Sin is Ultimately Deadly - Chapter 7

III. Sexual Sin is Ultimately ____________
A. God's Word will keep you from this ___________.
INPUT - What concepts do you see in verses 1-5 that are especially important? How do they relate to the statements about God's Word in the previous two chapters?

B. A person who sins sexually tempts ______________.
INPUT - What is the relationship between James 1:13 [God does not tempt us] and Matthew 6:13 [Lead us not into temptation]?

C. A person who sins sexually will be tempted by ______________.
1. She comes _________ to meet him - v. 10
2. Her __________ is part of the temptation - v. 10
3. She is ________ and _________________ - v.11
4. I will make you a wonderful ___________ - v. 14
5. I __________ you - v. 15
6. I am _____________ for you - v. 16-18
7. ______ _________ will know - v. 19-20
8. The temptation is all wrapped up in ___________ - v. 21

D. A person who sins sexually tempts the __________.
Wiersbe – Fire is a good thing if it’s confined and controlled. It can keep us warm, cook our food, drive turbines, and manufacture our electricity. Sex is a good gift from God but, like fire, if it gets out of control, it becomes destructive. What begins as a “warm” experience soon becomes a burning experience, like holding a torch in your lap or walking on burning coals.
“But sex is a normal desire, given to us by God,” some people argue. “Therefore, we have every right to use it, even if we’re not married. It’s like eating: If you’re hungry, God gave you food to eat; if you’re lonely, God gave you sex to enjoy.” Some of the people in the Corinthian church used this argument to defend their sinful ways: Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods” (1 Cor. 6:13, NKJV). But Paul made it clear that the believer’s body belonged to God and that the presence of a desire wasn’t the same as the privilege to satisfy that desire (vv. 12-20).