A Heart Not Declining to Her Ways - Proverbs 7:25

In the book of Proverbs Solomon shared a story about a young man yielding to the invitation of a woman dressed in the attire of a harlot, and afterward Solomon said, “Hearken unto me now therefore, O you children, and attend to the words of my mouth”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of Proverbs Solomon said, “let not your heart decline to her ways” where we read,

Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

The verse begins, “Let not your heart decline to her ways, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “let not your heart decline” or “do not allow or permit your, the offspring and progeny or children, soul, mind, will, desires, conscience, living being and seat of emotions and affections to go aside, turn or deviate” “to her ways” which means “toward her, the woman dressed as a harlot's, road, journey, manner, path or direction”. Solomon warned his children not to allow their souls and minds to turn toward the manner and direction of the woman in harlot's clothing.

The verse continues, “... go not astray in her paths.” Solomon added the words, “go not astray” or “do not wander, stagger, be intoxicated or err” “in her paths” which means “within her, the woman in harlot's attire's, trodden pathway, beaten track or traveled way”. Solomon warned his children not to wander or stagger into the trodden pathways of the woman in harlot's attire.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon told the story of the seduction of a young man by a woman in harlot's attire to warn his “children” concerning the consequences of sinful behavior. His children were not to allow themselves to be persuaded to follow the woman's “ways”, and they were never to turn toward the woman's traveled road. God warns us in this manner also because sin has horrific consequences. Although a person may enjoy sin for a season, it will end in ruin and destruction. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross, be raised three days later so all who believe and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth and away from harmful sin. Let all who read these words heed the warning of Solomon and God Almighty who desires to keep us from sin the the devastating consequences that accompany it.

Next time Solomon says, “she has cast down many wounded”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".