May 5

May 5 - Today from Proverbs 5 we look at verses 3 and 4
"For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword."

Have you ever desired something so badly that it seemed to consume your every thought? It is so desirable that it actually becomes a torment. This is known as a 'spirit of lust' and it is a tremendous force. It literally blinds a person. One cannot see beyond the anticipated moment of fulfillment. The 'honey-dripping lips' are not an apparition. The 'oil smooth words' are not merely an illusion. They are very real, and very desirable – but only in the temporal world of reality. In order for one to partake, one must compromise their position with the One who holds eternal life. It is only after one has compromised their position that they discover the bitterness of the temporal - and then it is too late. It is almost impossible to describe - unless one has experienced it.
Amnon experienced it. You can read about his experience in 2 Samuel 13. He was one of King David's sons, and fell in 'lust' with his half-sister Tamar. He wanted her so badly that he became physically ill. His entire focus in life was the anticipated moment of sexual fulfillment with her. With a little encouragement from a shrewd cousin, Amnon raped Tamar. Once the act was completed and the lust abated, Amnon realized what he has compromised in the process - and he hated Tamar, blaming her as the cause of his compromise. Eventually it cost Amnon his life as Tamar's big brother Absalom took revenge for his sister.
Esau experienced it. You can read about his experience in Genesis 25. He was the eldest son of Isaac and stood to inherit the family birthright. It was a birthright far beyond material inheritance. It involved a covenant with the sovereign God of the universe. But, he came in from hunting one day with an empty stomach and a huge appetite. His younger (by a few minutes) brother Jacob was cooking some stew, and it must have smelled powerfully good because Esau actually traded his birthright for a meal that day. Esau might not have thought much of the birthright at that moment - but God honored his deal. We read in Hebrews 12:16, 17; "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears." From where we sit we know of God's election. But Esau didn't. By following after his lust he forfeited the opportunity to hear God address Himself as "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Esau".
What eternal rewards are we willing to forfeit for the pleasure of fulfilling a momentary lust? How many have we already forfeited? Why weren't we wise enough to listen to our parents, our spiritual mentors, and the Holy Spirit when they warned us not to become enamored with the honey-dripping lips and oil-smooth talk of the temptress - in whatever form it comes? Pleasures in life are not sinful, unless they cause us to compromise our position with the One who gives true life. In the end, the things that promised to be so fulfilling become repulsive and painful - because they represent the loss of something of such great and surpassing value.
Wisdom always looks to the end.