Proverbs 5:15-19 – Spiritual Adultery
When we aren’t happy and content with the blessings we have, we start wanting what we can’t have. Desiring something sinful springs from not being satisfied with what God has given us. So, if we want to keep from sin and pursuing what is forbidden, we need to learn to be happy and thankful for what we have. We need to learn to be content.
Solomon illustrates this point with a picture of marriage and adultery. Instead of pursuing others, a Godly husband or wife rejoices in what they do have – a Godly spouse is a special gift of our Heavenly Father, one that should be cherished. It is a gift that should be treated with purity and gentleness. Loving your husband or wife is the best guard against adultery. If you are busy treating your husband or wife the way you should and finding happiness with them, you have no time to look for marital happiness elsewhere.
But this isn’t just a principle of marriage, it is a principle that can be applied to the whole Christian life. When we are busy and focussed on loving and serving God, when we find in God our satisfaction and joy, then we aren’t going to have the time or desire to put other things or people in God’s place. But the moment we start neglecting our relationship with the Lord, stop having private and family worship, stop reading God’s Word, stop praying, we are going to look to other things or people for satisfaction and happiness. It is as if we are committing spiritual adultery.
Questions
- What is a good way to avoid sin?
- How should a husband and wife treat each other?
- How can we grow in our love of God?
- What happens when we neglect our relationship with God?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the husbands and wives in our congregation.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.