A Sister and an Intimate Friend

"Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and
call insight your intimate friend."
Proverbs 7:4

I love to watch my daughters interact. As youngsters they were so different and not so close, but as they have grown up they have become the best of friends and developed a relationship that I might never have expected. They talk almost daily, either face to face or by phone. They bounce home schooling questions off each other, talk intimately about serious subjects, and sometimes they just laugh and laugh at the silliest things. They seek each other's knowledge and insight in various matters that alone they may not be able to grasp.

As wisdom and insight become our sister and our intimate friend we too have that privilege of seeking what is right and true. The writer of the Proverbs uses this analogy to encourage his son in his lecture concerning the adulterous woman. As we continue to consider our faithfulness to our Heavenly Husband as the Bride of Christ, here are some warnings that are given in chapter 7 about the adulterous woman:

1. She is loud and wayward. Have you ever noticed that many of the things that would draw us away from our faithfulness to God are the same way? They seem to virtually scream to us for attention, drawing our focus away from the One who gave us life and eternal love.

2. She seeks him eagerly. Sin comes crouching at the door, led by the enemy of our faith. Our resolve must be strong, and we must NEVER even crack the door, because when we do, she will often push her way in, bringing us down with her.

3. She offers delight (v.18). Moses chose "rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" Hebrews 11:25. Why is it that faithlessness to God can bring such pleasure for the moment, but then it turns so very bitter? It seems that if we could only remember that from the last time we went round this mountain!

4. She is seductive (v.21). Perhaps we forget because she seduces usagain and again with her temptations. Staying at a healthy weight is a constant battle for me. And food is seductive! I know!

5. She is a murderer (v.23). The best way to kill our fellowship with God and to adulterate ourselves with our Heavenly Husband is to succumb to the sins that so easily beset us.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..."

Hebrews 12:1-2a

Today let's keep our eyes on the Lover of Our Soul and avoid the pitfalls of sin.

Thanks for reading,
Gloria