Jewels of Wisdom | A Father's Wisdom | Guarding Against Adultery

Proverbs 6:20-35 offers profound wisdom on the dangers of adultery. It's not merely a warning against a single act, but a plea to guard the heart and mind from the very beginning of temptation. This passage emphasizes that true security lies in heeding the counsel of one's parents and adhering to GOD’S commandments.

The passage begins with a strong exhortation to listen to a father's instruction and a mother's teaching (Proverbs 6:20). This parental guidance is described as a protective force, likened to a chain around one's neck and a guide for one's path (Proverbs 6:21-22). This wisdom illuminates the path, protecting you from the "evil woman" and "the smooth tongue of the adulteress" (Proverbs 6:24). It's a call to not let your heart desire her beauty or be captured by her eyelids. The consequences are stark: a man can be reduced to a loaf of bread, and a man's wife can hunt for a man's precious life (Proverbs 6:26).

The text uses powerful imagery to illustrate the self-destructive nature of adultery. "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?" (Proverbs 6:27-28). The answer is, of course, no. This analogy highlights that engaging in adultery is a guaranteed path to destruction. The passage then contrasts this with the man who steals to satisfy his hunger—a crime that, while punishable, is understood (Proverbs 6:30). Yet, the adulterer is without understanding and destroys himself (Proverbs 6:32). He brings dishonor and a wound that will not be wiped away. Jealousy, the rage of a husband, knows no bounds and will not accept any ransom or payment (Proverbs 6:34-35). All too often, we see the results of this sinful act play out in the news in the form of a “love triangle” when a man comes home only to find his wife in bed with another man, then he either kills both or one of them, usually the man.

The wisdom of Proverbs 6 serves as a powerful reminder that the path of righteousness, guided by parental and divine wisdom, is the only true way to a secure and honorable life.

Preventative Measures Against Adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35)

• Heed GOD’S Commandment: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). This is the foundation of all other measures.
• Cherish and Obey Parental Instruction: "My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching" (Proverbs 6:20).
• Bind Wisdom to Your Heart: "Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck" (Proverbs 6:21).
• Do Not Lust or Covet: "Do not desire her beauty in your heart, nor let her capture you with her eyelids" (Proverbs 6:25).
• Recognize the Severe Consequences: Understand that adultery leads to personal ruin and a wound that will not be healed. "For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge" (Proverbs 6:34).
• Flee from Temptation: The entire passage is a warning to avoid the path of the adulteress, recognizing the severe and inevitable harm it brings.

Conclusion

Proverbs 6:20-35 provides a timeless blueprint for moral integrity. It is a stark warning that the seemingly harmless allure of illicit lust and desire leads to an inescapable cycle of destruction. The passage teaches us that the best defense against such temptation is not a last-minute fight against an act, but a lifelong commitment to wisdom, discipline, and the guidance of those who love us. 

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” By guarding our hearts and minds from the very beginning, we can avoid the catastrophic ruin that the adulterer faces, preserving our honor and our lives.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Shalom qodesh qadasheem - the “set apart ones.”