S) "17 'Stolen water is sweet;
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol."
Proverbs 9:17-18 (NASB)
O) The first verse has the words of the foolish woman, enticing men to join her in her house. The warning of the second verse is strong. These verses are in contrast to the depiction of wisdom in vv.5-6, where she offers bread and wine, and life through understanding. The implication is that the foolish, or simple, person will accept compromised morals, but it will lead to death. Both wisdom and folly are calling, and both appear to be offering to meet the same basic needs (hunger and thirst), but only wisdom holds life.
A) The warning here, can be applied to almost any sinful desire. Naturally speaking, I want to hide my sins. The things I am tempted to do, I generally want to do in secret. But, when I steal what doesn't belong to me (metaphorically speaking, pretty much any sin can be called stealing what doesn't belong to me), and when I am secretive about my sins, it is foolishness that will cost me. The first step then, is for me to make conscious efforts to seek wisdom When I do sin, when I fall for the lie of stolen water and secret bread, the next step is to expose the secret sin, declare the bitterness of the water, to confess and repent. In Jesus Christ, I will always have the grace of the gospel, promising forgiveness for sins and restoration. The quicker I come to that, the better.
A) The warning here, can be applied to almost any sinful desire. Naturally speaking, I want to hide my sins. The things I am tempted to do, I generally want to do in secret. But, when I steal what doesn't belong to me (metaphorically speaking, pretty much any sin can be called stealing what doesn't belong to me), and when I am secretive about my sins, it is foolishness that will cost me. The first step then, is for me to make conscious efforts to seek wisdom When I do sin, when I fall for the lie of stolen water and secret bread, the next step is to expose the secret sin, declare the bitterness of the water, to confess and repent. In Jesus Christ, I will always have the grace of the gospel, promising forgiveness for sins and restoration. The quicker I come to that, the better.
P) Father, please forgive my foolishness. I confess that I am still fooled by temptation. I don't want to be played the fool by sin, though. I want to live in the wisdom of Christ. I want to glorify You with my life. Please forgive me, and heal me, and give me wisdom and understanding. Help me to be quick to confess my secret sins, and declare the bitterness of these stolen waters, whatever they are. Let me trust in the grace of the gospel, and remember the love and comfort I receive through the Holy Spirit, in unity with other believers. Be glorified in my mistakes, as much as You are in my obedience. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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