August 31st
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer– may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?” For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” Proverbs 5:15-23 NIV
The Bible describes sexuality as a fountain. It is not only a fountain of life for future generations, but also it affects our own life deeply. The above passage discusses the importance of keeping sexual activity exclusively within the marital bond. Whether we are currently married or hope to be someday, we can benefit for this passage.
Our spouse (current or future) is like water that God has put in our personal well. God intends us to exclusively draw from that water for sexual fulfillment, intimacy and love. Sharing sex, intimacy and love with someone other than our spouse is like pouring out our water on the filthy streets, where strangers can partake of our water, clean their shoes in it and pollute it. When we have sex outside our marriage, we are joined in spirit, soul and body with not only that person, but also every other sex partner they have had. We are also exposed to the generational curses from that person’s bloodline. Our strength of life is weakened and we risk being given over to oppression from evil spirits (Proverbs 5:3-9)
Our sexuality and marriage is blessed when we remain faithful to our spouse. “Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant doe [tender, gentle, attractive] – let her bosom satisfy you at all times, and always be transported with delight in her love” (Proverbs 5:19 Amplified Bible). There is no reason to stray from your spouse and be infatuated with an immoral person, when God has provided everything we need in our spouse.
Some people may not be satisfied with their current situation in marriage. Their spouse may not be “meeting their needs” sexually, causing them to consider dipping into someone else’s well. Pornography provides as deceptively “safe” way to gratify sexual lusts, but the end result is perhaps just as damaging as having sex with the people in the porn. Jesus pointed out that lusting after people is equivalent to having sex with them (Matthew 5:28). Additionally, porn’s images can hang around for years in our consciences to haunt and tempt us to lust. If your needs aren’t being met, start taking action on your end to improve communication with your spouse and ask God to show you what you can do to improve the relationship from your end. Happy marriage is built on giving to your spouse instead of seeking gratification.
Perhaps you are single or single again (divorced or widowed). How does this passage apply to you? If you have the desire to be married, I encourage you to believe that God has a wonderful person that he is preparing for you. Trust God for the perfect timing for that marriage. When it comes to sexual desires, ask God to help you overcome the sexual temptations that come your way between now and when you meet your future spouse. Giving in to sexual temptation now will damage your future relationship with your spouse. Remember that Jesus, who was tempted in every way but didn’t sin, stands ready to help you defeat temptations.
We’ll all do well to heed Solomon’s warning at the end of the above passage. All of our ways are in full view of God. He examines our hearts and minds to see what sin we’re harboring. If we practice sin through sexual sin (physically or mentally), we will be ensnared by the “cords of sin,” and risk going into great folly. If we turn from evil and practice righteousness, we’ll reap life and freedom.
Questions for further thought:
What does it mean to have our fountain of sexuality blessed by God?
How does sexual fidelity (faithfulness) affect love and trust in a marriage relationship?
Considering that sex unites people body, soul and spirit, how does adultery affect a marriage relationship?
Pray:
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of sexuality and marriage. I desire to honor you with my sexuality and abide by your guidelines for life. Please forgive me for any sexual sin I have committed. I repent from it and pray that you would release me from any cords of sin that hold me fast.
(If married) Please help me discover true love and intimacy in my marriage. I desire to rejoice in my spouse and be captivated by his or her love. Please strengthen my convictions to never dishonor my marriage and you with sexual sin.
(If not married) Please help me to avoid and/or overcome the sexual temptations that come my way today. I trust in you, Lord, for the perfect provision for my sexual desires and future marriage. Please help me to wait on you and not get anxious.
Thank you, Father, for the wonderful plan you have for my life. I praise you now and forever, Amen.”