Stay on the Alert

As believers, we need to take great care in order to protect our testimony. The potential to fall into public sin not only can happen to kings or governors; it can also happen to us. This teaching, Stay on the Alert, was given at a men's prayer retreat at Church at Sandhurst in June. It was a timely word then, and I believe a timely word now. It is lengthy, but do not allow the length of the lesson to keep you from reflecting and applying what is presented. May the Lord grant each one of us multiplied grace and peace and the power to resist the pull of personal destruction.

Stay On The Alert—Keeping Yourself Out Of Trouble

Teaching Notes of Denny Bates / Proverbs 7

I THE EFFECTUAL MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD (7:1-5)

A. We are to keep His Words and treasure His commandments

1 My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you.

Teaching Point:
What does it mean to “treasure” His commands? The Hebrew word is ṣāpân.
It means hide, treasure, store up.
— Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

ṣāpân occurs thirty-six times. It means to conceal something with a definite purpose, either for protection or for sinister reasons.
— Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

Application Point:
This is lived out when we obey the command of Scripture to hide God’s Word in our heart. Note the charge and the benefit of so doing:

Psalms 119:9-11 (NASB95)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Staying on Point:
Walking in the Word of God; meditating upon it, will draw us closer to Him.

B. We are to keep His commandments or teachings in front of us, close in our heart

2 Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

 
Teaching Point:
Note six distinct charges: (1) To keep His words; (2) To treasure His commandments; (3) To keep His commandments [and live]; (4) To keep His teaching as the apple of one’s eye; (5) To bind His commandments and teaching on one’s fingers; and (6) To write them on the tablet of one’s heart.

Application Point:
For the disciple of Jesus Christ, there is the great benefit of abiding in, living in, the Word of God. The person who chooses to make this a way of life will experience joy, joy made full by His presence.

John 15:7-11 (NASB95)
7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Staying on Point:
Making it a point to make the Word of God our focal point for living will make a lasting impact upon our life.

C. When we value God’s wisdom and seek to receive understanding, we will be protected when temptation comes our way

4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your intimate friend;
5 That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words.

Teaching Point:
There is an illustration of tender intimacy being described in this passage of Scripture. The idea is one must be willing to get to know, really know all about those whom you love: in this case, God’s wisdom and understanding.

Application Point:
For the Christian believer there is a great journey ahead; when and only when, we are pursuing what is worthy of pursuit: God’s Word, God’s wisdom, and God’s revelation of Himself.

Proverbs 2:1-6 (NASB95)
1 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Staying on Point:
Seeking God’s wisdom and understanding will protect us when temptation comes our way.

II THE VICTIM’S NAIVETE (7:6-9)

A. We are to know our weaknesses and pray for common sense

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,

Teaching Point:
What does the writer of Proverbs mean when he says this young man lacked “sense?” The Hebrew word is “leb” and it means he lacked the right kind of inner man, mind, or heart.
Transliterated Word: leb (524b)
Root: from the same as 3824;

Definition: inner man, mind, will, heart:--
— NASB Greek-Hebrew Dictionary

Concrete meanings of lēb referred to the internal organ and to analogous physical locations. However, in its abstract meanings, "heart" became the richest biblical term for the totality of man's inner or immaterial nature.
— Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

By far the majority of the usages of lēb refer either to the inner or immaterial nature in general or to one of the three traditional personality functions of man; emotion, thought, or will.
— Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
 
Application Point:
The disciple of Jesus Christ who truly wants to follow Him must give no place to an unprotected heart. Common sense demands it. The enemies of a heart that lacks sense are dangerous and many and must be overcome.

1. There is the enemy of committing adultery.

Proverbs 6:32 (NASB95)
32 The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it.

Matthew 5:27-28 (NASB95)
27 "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY';
28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

2. There is the enemy of youthful lusts.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB95)
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

3. There is the enemy of worldliness.

1 John 2:15-17 (NASB95)
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Staying on Point:
Knowing our weaknesses can become a great strength if we can exhibit good sense along the way.

B. We are to know our weaknesses and stay out of trouble

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.
 
Teaching Point:
It is important for the believer to carefully choose the right path. Opportunities for the right decisions are literally at the fork of the road. We do not wander through life. Every decision has intent. Every path has consequences: some for life…and some for death.

Application Point:
The Word of God has much to say when it comes to choosing the right path.

1. When we do it the right way, God promises to make our paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB95)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

2. We must not take the path of the wicked.

Proverbs 4:14 (NASB95)
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

3. We must follow the Lord’s guidance and walk in the path of the righteous.

Psalms 23:3 (NASB95)
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

4. We must learn of the Lord’s ways and of His paths.

Psalms 25:4 (NASB95)
4 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.

Psalms 16:11 (NASB95)
11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Staying on Point:
Knowing the right paths to choose will keep us from losing our way and falling into trouble.

III THE SEDUCTRESS’ CHARACTER (7:10-12)

10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
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.

Teaching Point:
There is no room to negotiate a peace treaty with a person of this kind of character. In this case, she is the aggressor, seeking to bring down anyone who becomes entangled in her destructive web. Note her characteristics: (1) She is aggressive; (2) She is a provocative dresser; (3) She is cunning of heart; (4) She is boisterous and rebellious; (5) She is on the prowl, canvassing the streets and lurking by every corner.

Application Point:
What is a believer to do when a temptation comes dressed up and is chasing after him? The Bible gives some practical advice to one and to all; for both young and old.

1. Do not seek to outsmart the temptation. Do the right thing: Turn and RUN the other way!

Proverbs 3:7 (NASB95)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB95)
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2. Do not give any temptation a foothold in your life.

James 1:14-15 (NASB95)
14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

3. Do not lose control of your eyes.

2 Peter 2:14 (NASB95)
14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;

4. DO guard your heart.

Proverbs 4:23 (NASB95)
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Matthew 15:19 (NASB95)
19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.
 
Staying on Point:
Making sure we are aware of the character traits of the enemy we are dealing with will help us resist their attack.

IV THE SEDUCTRESS’ TACTICS (7:13-21)

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.
15 "Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you.
16 "I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt.
17 "I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
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."
21 With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him.

Teaching Point:
The tactics of the adulterous woman are clearly spelled out in this passage of Scripture. She (1) Works quickly; (2) Has no fear or shame; (3) Wears her religion on her sleeve; (4) Has the “right” ambiance in place; (5) Gives a vivid description of the upcoming experience; (6) Ensures that the coast is clear; (7) Flatters him; and then (8) Seduces him.

Application Point:
Sin is attractive. In fact, the Scripture teaches that sin is good or pleasurable for a season. But the inevitable outcome of habitual sin, without the intervention of Christ, is death.

Romans 6:23 (NASB95)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Staying on Point:
Making sure we guard our heart and not succumb to the things we illicitly want will give us an even greater freedom over the power of sin.

V THE VICTIM’S RESPONSE (7:22-23)

22 Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
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.

Teaching Point:
There is much sorrow when a saint becomes enamored with sin; thinking all the time, it will have no effect upon him. The reality is that sin bites, and it bites hard. As this passage of Scripture describes, there is a robotic blindness, a bound up sensation that takes place when temptation overcomes us. The arrow strikes…the snare is tripped…a life that had so much to look forward to, is lost.

Application Point:
Sin is destructive. The Bible describes some of the consequences of sin this way:

1. Sin separates us from God.

Genesis 3:8 (NASB95)
8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

2. Sin causes strife and destruction.

Proverbs 17:19 (NASB95)
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

3. Sin will burn the offender.

Proverbs 6:27 (NASB95)
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned?

4. Sin has the capacity to destroy the treacherous.

Proverbs 11:3 (NASB95)
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.

5. Sin will destroy those who are enemies of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:18-19 (NASB95)
18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

6. Sin’s only antidote is the soul-cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:6-9 (NASB95)
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Staying on Point:
Keeping short accounts with God will be our saving grace when we do succumb to temptation and sin.

VI THE FATHER’S CLOSING EXHORTATION (7:24-27)

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.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol, Descending to the chambers of death.

Teaching Point:
The Father gives some clear instructions of warning after telling this story. This is what He says we should do in order to protect ourselves from becoming the next naïve youth who has no sense. He says to (1) Listen to Him; (2) To pay attention to the words of His mouth; (3) To not let our heart turn aside to the one who is tempting us; (5) To not stray into her paths. And if we fail to heed the Father’s words, we will be added to the list of victims.

Application Point:
It is imperative that the believer pay close attention to what the Father is saying. How do we know what He is saying? We will find what He is saying to us in His Word. He is saying that…
 
1. The Word of God is perfect, completely reliable.

Psalms 19:7 (NASB95)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

2. The Word of God is eternal.

Isaiah 40:8 (NASB95)
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

3. The Word of God is living.

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95)
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

4. The Word of God is powerful.

Isaiah 55:11 (NASB95)
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

5. The Word of God is what brings us faith.

Romans 10:17 (NASB95)
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Staying on Point:
Staying on the alert requires that we marinate our hearts in God’s Word.

Psalms 119:32 (AMP)
32 I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing.