Well, I popped out of bed, eager and ready to read Proverbs 5 and see just what was INSIDE this chapter, only to SEE some options oh-so-clearly laid out for me! And I think that is “something” we keep seeing over … and over … and over again because GOD is like that. He likes to keep it simple and keep repeating His Concepts. Keeps it clear for us ladies down here. 🙂

But for those of you who read Chapter 5 through, I wonder, did you also see two options and paths for you and for me?

Yup, once again, we get to choose which “WORLDVIEW” we will use. And this time, it is regarding a topic that seems pretty clear which one is CORRECT.

‘Cause the topic is?? 

ADULTERY. 

Uggghhh … ohhhh … and ICK….

Now, I don’t know what is up in the world right now, but in MY small world, I have been surrounded by people who are in the right relationships where they have a partner who has been unfaithful … OR they have been the unfaithful one … and whoa!! I don’t know if I can even GO there in my head regarding this topic. I mean, if I am not in an UNFAITHFUL relationship outside of my marriage, don’t I get to just skip over this chapter?

Well, I believe NO is the answer.

Because if the definition of ADULTERY is being unfaithful to the person I am married to by having any “relationship” outside of my marriage MATTER more to me, then UNFAITHFUL I have been … and UNFAITHFUL I could be.

Yes, I have never “physically cheated” on my bald-boy with another person, BUT I have “emotionally” cheated on him with OTHER passions, pursuits, projects and persons when I was like those ladies in verse 6:

“She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.”

So, I can get that I need to review and read a chapter like this just like EVERYONE else. And I’m so glad GOD has plopped it in HIS pages for girls like you and me, because the WISDOM in these few words is so crisp, clear and concrete.

There are TWO paths to take — and we have two CHOICES to make.

Yes! Once again, two worldview OPTIONS are laid out as to what is “truly true”:

1. WORLDVIEW OPTION #1? Worldly WISDOM. Well, do you know a lot of young women have been coached and counselled to GO out and find a few extra “partners” in life?? Maybe to spice up their sexual life or improve their marital one. Yes, a large part of society sees this a POSITIVE thing, and this “Worldview” to them is deeply TRUE. Path number one is, as verse 3 says, smooth, sweet and oh so much MORE FUN.

2. BUT what about WORLDVIEW OPTION #2? Godly WISDOM. It says, whoa! GO SLOW (verse 7), DO NOT GO down that smooth road (verse 8) because, well, HE sees farther down how it will end — and it is pretty bad, my friend (verse 5). And, yes, this WORLDVIEW is not about being the “ruin-er” of FUN, but about PROTECTING everyone … from their own self (verse 14)! 

Yes, being led by our bodies, or our brains, will lead to some serious LONG-TERM PAINS (verses 9, 11). But if we choose Path number #2 and HOLD TO what GOD’s Word says is TRUE, just look at the RELATIONAL REWARDS coming our way. (Seriously, check out the end of the chapter to see what GODLY marriage can truly BE like when both partners are WHOLLY and FULLY faithful to each other.)

So, YES!!!! That is all great!! And that is SOOO cool, but what about the season I was in when I was a “CLUELESS FOOL,” and I didn’t even know it? 

Well, GOD covers that too, and THAT is Choice Number 2. 

I can either: 

1. EMBRACE GODLY CORRECTION (which He sends from a place of GODLY CARE FOR CAROL — thank you, LORD!!) 

2. Or choose to stay ENSNARED (verse 22) in my short-term FUN, which, I will be honest, really did soon become full of GALL and ended bitterly (verse 4) … for the “FUN” lasted less and was achieved less often, EVEN when I tried to add ON more. Do you know what I mean??

But GOD is so good to give us so much GRACE. He does a lot of explaining and teaching and guiding us PAST the Worldview Option #1. But if we slipped, He oh-so-gracefully gives us a “road-ramp” BACK onto the “HIGHWAY of HOLINESS” (Isaiah 35:8). Yes, HE never cuts us off from His GLORY. WE are the ones who choose to VIEW ourselves as too much for HIM.

So, no matter what you have done or where you have been, maybe today is the day to step onto a new PATH, away from ADULTERY to whomever or “WHAT”-ever you’ve put before HIM, and instead choose which “worldview” you BELIEVE will be better and true.

Can’t wait to hear if any of this resonates with you!

Carol 😉