Rev. David Holwick ZN
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
November 13, 1988
Proverbs 6:20-35
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I. Three different aspects concerning fornication.
II. The Possibility of fornication. Prov 6:20-24a
A. Fornication is a great sin.
1) Adultery is one form.
B. Dangerous feeling - "It can never happen to me."
1) Pastor on survey: "When I was a younger pastor, I did
not take the temptation seriously. Only after I fell
did I become aware.
C. Many have fallen to it:
1) David, with the greatest heart.
2) Solomon, with the greatest mind.
a) Prov 7:26 - "Many strong men have been slain by her."
3) Stats for our times:
a) Depends on survey.
1> Pastors, 12%. (a third of time, no consequences.
2> Some, 33%.
3> Others, 66%. (Playboy)
b) Interesting, men more likely than women.
1> So who do men do it with?
2> Bad girls must be really bad.
A> Proverbs calls her the "adulterous woman."
D. Greece, New Hampshire eliminate penalties.
1) Far cry from scarlet letter.
2) But God is very concerned about it.
a) Ultimate image of spiritual sin.
III. The Protection against fornication. 6:24b-25
A. Avoid flattering tongue. 6:24 b
1) See also 7:21 "Fair speech causes him to yield."
2) See also 5:3. "Her lips drip honey."
3) Spouses need encouragement.
a) Otherwise Satan may provide it for them.
b) Spouses, beware and avoid trap.
B. Avoid fleshly beauty. 6:25 a
1) Does formerly stylish mate become lazy, sloppy?
2) Men have a natural tendency to be attracted.
a) Leadership Journal survey:
1> 78 % of wandering pastors - Physical and
emotional attractiveness.
2> 41 % - dissatisfaction with marriage.
3) Nevertheless, this is no excuse to wander.
a) Avoid sexually explicit material that may make
your mind wander after another's fleshly beauty.
b) Here, lust is a step into danger.
1> In New Testament, lust is a sin in itself.
C. Avoid fooling eyes. 6:26 b
1) More explicit - eyelashes.
a) Eyes are powerful communicators.
2) Dangers of flirting.
a) Not harmless, but easy to rationalize.
D. Avoid fondling touch. 6:27
1) There is great power in a touch or embrace.
a) Stressed for parents, teachers, preachers.
1> Mother calms a frightened child.
2> Companion - I am with you.
b) Lets people know you care.
2) Outside marriage - dynamite.
IV. The Problems with fornication. 6:26-35
A. Defiled.
1) Reduced to a piece of bread. 6:26
2) Defiles self. Something lost forever.
3) Defiles spouse, a trusted comrade, 2:17.
a) Closest of friends.
b) Example of young Christian wife:
Suzanne Miller, 8 months pregnant, finds out husband
is having an affair. Both are Christians, as is the
woman he is involved in. She feels she has suffered
from the ultimate betrayal, but does not want to end
up bitter. She decides to forgive and in a few
years achieves it. In the end she is able to help
other women who are going through divorces.
B. Despised. 6:30
1) Adultery can be forgiven, but should never be condoned.
2) Denounced by society? If not, society is decadent.
Jer 5:7-9.
C. Destroyed. 6:32
1) Loss of possessions. 6:26
2) Wastes best years. 5:9,11
a) Grass not greener on other side.
3) Physical danger. 6:26,32-35
4) Sears the sinner. 6:27-29, 33 b
D. Dishonored. 6:33
1) Become one flesh? (1 Cor 7)
2) Dr. Benjamin Spock, dumps wife for young thing.
Makes himself look bad.
V. Good advice.
A. Heed warnings of Scripture. 6:22
B. No one wants a cheating spouse.
1) Make sure they don't have one, either.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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