To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. Prov 2:16-17
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Prov 6:24
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Prov 6:24
The Bible has a great deal to say about the woman, the woman of the world, and a woman of God, who walks in wisdom, and righteousness. This post will focus on the woman of the world, how she behaves, and what she produces. Then, how Jesus dealt with women of the world, in His time.
The Woman of the World
1. She is, pre-eminently, a covenant-breaker. The ribs of a vessel hold and keep together the whole structure, and enable it to keep its cargo safe. If the ribs give way, all goes to pieces, and the precious things which have been stored up within the ship are lost in the ocean. Human society is belted together—kept from going to pieces—by covenants. They are the ribs which keep together the State. The marriage covenant holds the first place. The woman whose character is here depicted has broken the bonds of this most sacred covenant—to which God was a witness (the covenant of an institution of His own ordination)—and has taken to the “strange” way of the devil. Well may she be called a strange woman. That a woman should be guilty of such a crime—should choose such a course of life, so opposed to all that is pure and womanly—is indeed a mystery.
2. She is a destroyer, not only of herself, but of others. When the river has broken through its proper boundaries there is a present and continual destruction, of which the bursting of its banks was only the beginning. This woman in the past broke the moral boundaries of her life, and is now not content to go to ruin herself, but tries to take others with her. To this end are her false and flattering words, of which we shall hear more in chapter 5:3-4.
Pro 5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Pro 5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
3. She carries her victims beyond hope of recovery. There are no rules without exceptions. We know that there are those who have for a time been under the influence of such characters, and have returned to the paths of virtue and honour. But these are rare exceptions. In the main, it is, alas! true that “none that go unto her return again.” A vessel founders at sea, and we say that the crew is lost, although one survivor may have been rescued. We speak of an army being destroyed if one escapes to tell the tale. Where one who has taken hold on her paths struggles back to life and purity, thousands go down with her to death, bodily, social, and spiritual."
(Preacher's Homiletical)
A further study on this:
the strange woman — This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jdg_11:1, Jdg_11:2), married (Pro_7:5, Pro_7:19) or not (1Ki_11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though “strange” may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as “strange fire” (Num_3:4); “strange incense” (Exo_30:9).
This analogy can be used in describing the enticements of the devil in regards to the Body of Christ:
"As the Gospel of Christ and its doctrines, or the instructions of wisdom, are a means of delivering persons from the evil man, his company, ways, and works; so from a naughty woman, an adulteress, called a "strange" woman; not because of another nation, or unknown, but because she belongs to another person, and not to him whom she entices into her embraces. Gersom interprets this of the sensitive appetite, and Jarchi of idolatry; as others do also of superstition and all false doctrine, and everything that is contrary to true wisdom; and the whole that is here and afterwards said may well enough be applied to the whore of Rome, from whose fornication, or spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry, will worship, and antichristian doctrines, the Gospel delivers men; see Pro_7:5.
even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; that useth smooth and soft words to work upon the passions, move the affections, and win the hearts of men; and ensnare them and draw them to commit wickedness with her; see Pro_5:3; and so antichrist, and all false teachers and heretics, with good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, Rom_16:18." (John Gill)
When a woman or man sinks to this level of degradation, their conscience becomes seared, as with a hot iron. They can say and do the most base immoral acts, and feel no prick in their hearts, that a wrong has been done. The consequences of what they may have done to another doesn't enter their minds, this verse describes them well:
Pro 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
It's common today, to see news stories of the most despicable crimes imaginable, and the pictures of these criminals many times, tell the story of what their lives are. They prove the scripture true: The wages of sin, is death.
In the years I've been in ministry, I've dealt with women who have had relationships with multiple men, and children by several-as many as five and six, and never been married to any of them. The children would be regarded today as illegitimate bastards. But, society today has a way of covering up this embarrassing term, so no one is offended, or has to face the truth. These women don't see anything wrong in what they've done, or how they live, and the rebellion in their kids, is a result of their own rebellious lives. Sin increases from the parents, to the kids and increases in them. The kids are the ones who suffer the most. Many of them are brought up without a father in the house, and never knows the love and stability of a sound family environment. This is why there's so much chaos in the cities and communities in the country now. The schools and government programs today promote sexual sins, and teach them. Bringing up a child to be moral, and stay away from sexual sins, does not exist in society today. The only way a parent has any hope to bring up their children in the ways of God, and away from this degradation is to home school them, or send them to a private school.
Is there any hope for a life that's sunk to this level of depravity? Read on:
The first 25 years of my life, before receiving salvation, I went the way of the kids I saw in my school, and got involved in the ways of the world. I gave in to the enticements of the party life, drinking, sex and a reckless life, caring for nothing except the next weekend; and fulfilling whatever my selfish heart desired. It almost destroyed me. I became a woman of the world, blind and living in sin. But, praise God, one day, Jesus found me, and turned my life around. As the woman at the well, I came face to face with the Savior, and he forgave me, redeemed me, and set me free.
Jesus came to save sinners. I remind myself often, what He saved me from. I am sure that if I had not surrendered my heart and life to Him that day in my home in 1978, I would be dead and in hell now. I would have no one to blame, but myself. The life I'd lived, and the things I did, I had no excuse for. The only thing that brought me out of the pit of sin I had put myself in, was His mercy, His shed blood for my life, and His love and forgiveness, that I finally was able to see, and reached out and received-by my repentance and opening my heart, and asking Him to come into my life and receiving Him as my Lord and Savior. That day, all the sins I'd committed were washed by His blood. I was born again, and set free from the judgement I deserved. I knew that now, I was fully redeemed, and cleansed by His blood; and His child.
Whatever you may have done, whatever sin you may have committed; there is forgiveness, mercy, and redemption for you in Christ. The only sin Jesus can't forgive, is the one your hanging onto, the one you won't admit to, the only one your allowing to destroy you. There is forgiveness, and restoration available for you-but, you have to reach out and take it, and then begin to walk in that redemption, according to His word.
2. She is a destroyer, not only of herself, but of others. When the river has broken through its proper boundaries there is a present and continual destruction, of which the bursting of its banks was only the beginning. This woman in the past broke the moral boundaries of her life, and is now not content to go to ruin herself, but tries to take others with her. To this end are her false and flattering words, of which we shall hear more in chapter 5:3-4.
Pro 5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Pro 5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
3. She carries her victims beyond hope of recovery. There are no rules without exceptions. We know that there are those who have for a time been under the influence of such characters, and have returned to the paths of virtue and honour. But these are rare exceptions. In the main, it is, alas! true that “none that go unto her return again.” A vessel founders at sea, and we say that the crew is lost, although one survivor may have been rescued. We speak of an army being destroyed if one escapes to tell the tale. Where one who has taken hold on her paths struggles back to life and purity, thousands go down with her to death, bodily, social, and spiritual."
(Preacher's Homiletical)
A further study on this:
the strange woman — This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jdg_11:1, Jdg_11:2), married (Pro_7:5, Pro_7:19) or not (1Ki_11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though “strange” may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as “strange fire” (Num_3:4); “strange incense” (Exo_30:9).
This analogy can be used in describing the enticements of the devil in regards to the Body of Christ:
"As the Gospel of Christ and its doctrines, or the instructions of wisdom, are a means of delivering persons from the evil man, his company, ways, and works; so from a naughty woman, an adulteress, called a "strange" woman; not because of another nation, or unknown, but because she belongs to another person, and not to him whom she entices into her embraces. Gersom interprets this of the sensitive appetite, and Jarchi of idolatry; as others do also of superstition and all false doctrine, and everything that is contrary to true wisdom; and the whole that is here and afterwards said may well enough be applied to the whore of Rome, from whose fornication, or spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry, will worship, and antichristian doctrines, the Gospel delivers men; see Pro_7:5.
even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; that useth smooth and soft words to work upon the passions, move the affections, and win the hearts of men; and ensnare them and draw them to commit wickedness with her; see Pro_5:3; and so antichrist, and all false teachers and heretics, with good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, Rom_16:18." (John Gill)
When a woman or man sinks to this level of degradation, their conscience becomes seared, as with a hot iron. They can say and do the most base immoral acts, and feel no prick in their hearts, that a wrong has been done. The consequences of what they may have done to another doesn't enter their minds, this verse describes them well:
Pro 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
It's common today, to see news stories of the most despicable crimes imaginable, and the pictures of these criminals many times, tell the story of what their lives are. They prove the scripture true: The wages of sin, is death.
In the years I've been in ministry, I've dealt with women who have had relationships with multiple men, and children by several-as many as five and six, and never been married to any of them. The children would be regarded today as illegitimate bastards. But, society today has a way of covering up this embarrassing term, so no one is offended, or has to face the truth. These women don't see anything wrong in what they've done, or how they live, and the rebellion in their kids, is a result of their own rebellious lives. Sin increases from the parents, to the kids and increases in them. The kids are the ones who suffer the most. Many of them are brought up without a father in the house, and never knows the love and stability of a sound family environment. This is why there's so much chaos in the cities and communities in the country now. The schools and government programs today promote sexual sins, and teach them. Bringing up a child to be moral, and stay away from sexual sins, does not exist in society today. The only way a parent has any hope to bring up their children in the ways of God, and away from this degradation is to home school them, or send them to a private school.
Is there any hope for a life that's sunk to this level of depravity? Read on:
The first 25 years of my life, before receiving salvation, I went the way of the kids I saw in my school, and got involved in the ways of the world. I gave in to the enticements of the party life, drinking, sex and a reckless life, caring for nothing except the next weekend; and fulfilling whatever my selfish heart desired. It almost destroyed me. I became a woman of the world, blind and living in sin. But, praise God, one day, Jesus found me, and turned my life around. As the woman at the well, I came face to face with the Savior, and he forgave me, redeemed me, and set me free.
Jesus came to save sinners. I remind myself often, what He saved me from. I am sure that if I had not surrendered my heart and life to Him that day in my home in 1978, I would be dead and in hell now. I would have no one to blame, but myself. The life I'd lived, and the things I did, I had no excuse for. The only thing that brought me out of the pit of sin I had put myself in, was His mercy, His shed blood for my life, and His love and forgiveness, that I finally was able to see, and reached out and received-by my repentance and opening my heart, and asking Him to come into my life and receiving Him as my Lord and Savior. That day, all the sins I'd committed were washed by His blood. I was born again, and set free from the judgement I deserved. I knew that now, I was fully redeemed, and cleansed by His blood; and His child.
Whatever you may have done, whatever sin you may have committed; there is forgiveness, mercy, and redemption for you in Christ. The only sin Jesus can't forgive, is the one your hanging onto, the one you won't admit to, the only one your allowing to destroy you. There is forgiveness, and restoration available for you-but, you have to reach out and take it, and then begin to walk in that redemption, according to His word.
THE ACCUSERS SELF-CONDEMNED
Joh 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. | This passage has been the subject of much controversy, but there is no possibility of accounting for it except on the supposition that this incident really took place. It reveals in our Lord’s character such tenderness, wisdom, hatred of sin, and insight into the heart of man, that it is impossible to suppose that any evangelist could have invented the story. The sinner’s way of treating sin is to regard it as “a case” for curious speculation, and an opportunity for contrasting with it the immaculate virtue of the accusers. They take prurient pleasure in enumerating the terrible details, but give no sign of pity or shame for the sinner. The Law’s way of treating sin is to stone. The executioner shows no mercy. The offender falls beneath the Law’s curse and penalty. The Savior’s way of treating sin is to forgive. In that bowed head and hidden face, Joh_8:10, we learn how much sin costs Him. But it is easy to hear His words of forgiveness, and to go forth from His presence with the assurance that “there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus;” but we shall never know how much sin has cost Him, whom it crucifies afresh. That silent, averted gaze has made men bow their heads and beat upon their breasts. F.B. Meyer |
Paid In Full
After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end.
The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.
He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.
As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin".
The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell"
He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrased that I could'nt look up anyone, even my own Attorney, as the devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.
I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said, "This woman belongs in hell", she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.
When it was His turn, my Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench.
The Judge allowed this over the strong objections of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.
I realized why He seemed so familiar, this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Saviour.
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge: "Hi Dad", and then He turned to address the court.
"Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations".
And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished"
Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed: "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Saviour, so she is Mine"
My Lord continued with, "Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy"
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done". I've done it all"
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips:
"This woman is free"
The penalty for her has already been paid in full. "Case dismissed"
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up" I will win the next one. I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"
Christ lovingly smiled and said: "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you:
PAID IN FULL!!
Indeed, this is I; in every sense of the word. Praise to the Father, for the Son: Forever more.
Lu 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Lu 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Lu 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Lu 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Lu 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Lu 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Lu 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Lu 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Lu 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Lu 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Lu 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Lu 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Lu 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Lu 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.
He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.
As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin".
The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell"
He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrased that I could'nt look up anyone, even my own Attorney, as the devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.
I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said, "This woman belongs in hell", she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.
When it was His turn, my Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench.
The Judge allowed this over the strong objections of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.
I realized why He seemed so familiar, this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Saviour.
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge: "Hi Dad", and then He turned to address the court.
"Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations".
And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished"
Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed: "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Saviour, so she is Mine"
My Lord continued with, "Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy"
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done". I've done it all"
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips:
"This woman is free"
The penalty for her has already been paid in full. "Case dismissed"
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up" I will win the next one. I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"
Christ lovingly smiled and said: "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you:
PAID IN FULL!!
Indeed, this is I; in every sense of the word. Praise to the Father, for the Son: Forever more.
Lu 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Lu 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Lu 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Lu 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Lu 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Lu 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Lu 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Lu 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Lu 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Lu 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Lu 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Lu 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Lu 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Lu 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.