WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.740 in Proverbs chapter 5. 00:00:01.940 --> 00:00:03.100 So that's what we're opening to, 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:05.080 is the whole chapter from verses 1 to 23. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:08.279 And please join me in prayer 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:10.300 as you open up to Proverbs 5. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:12.599 Heavenly Father, 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:14.759 thank you so much for your word. 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:17.760 Thank you for giving us your instruction, 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:18.440 your wisdom. 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:20.100 God, we pray that you would give us 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:23.460 open hearts that are willing to receive, 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:24.740 that are eager to obey, 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:27.420 for your glory and for our good, Father. 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:29.280 And we pray in Christ's name, amen. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.140 All right, Proverbs chapter 5. 00:00:34.980 --> 00:00:37.960 My son, be attentive to my wisdom. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:40.380 Incline your ear to my understanding, 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:42.320 that you may keep discretion 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:44.359 and your lips may guard knowledge. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:48.200 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:51.019 and her speech is smoother than oil. 00:00:51.620 --> 00:00:53.920 But in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, 00:00:54.299 --> 00:00:55.820 sharp as a two-edged sword. 00:00:56.519 --> 00:00:57.799 Her feet go down to death. 00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:00.079 Her steps follow the path to Sheol. 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:02.979 She does not ponder the path of life. 00:01:03.559 --> 00:01:05.899 Her ways wander, and she does not know it. 00:01:06.679 --> 00:01:09.359 And now, O sons, listen to me, 00:01:09.679 --> 00:01:12.459 and do not depart from the words of my mouth. 00:01:13.259 --> 00:01:14.679 Keep your way far from her, 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:17.519 and do not go near the door of her house. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:19.700 Lest you give your honor to others, 00:01:19.700 --> 00:01:21.379 and your years to the merciless. 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:24.299 Lest strangers take their fill of your strength, 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:26.719 and your labors go to the house of a foreigner. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:28.539 And at the end of your life, 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:31.819 you groan when your flesh and body are consumed. 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:33.119 And you say, 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:34.939 how I hated discipline, 00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:37.300 and my heart despised reproof. 00:01:37.820 --> 00:01:40.020 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers, 00:01:40.160 --> 00:01:42.420 or incline my ear to my instructors. 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:45.480 I am at the brink of utter ruin 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:46.980 in the assembled congregation. 00:01:48.180 --> 00:01:50.840 Drink water from your own cistern, 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:53.100 flowing water from your own well. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:55.780 Should your springs be scattered abroad, 00:01:56.100 --> 00:01:57.760 streams of water in the streets? 00:01:57.760 --> 00:02:00.480 Let them be for yourself alone, 00:02:00.960 --> 00:02:02.500 and not for strangers with you. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:04.800 Let your fountain be blessed, 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:07.300 and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 00:02:07.800 --> 00:02:09.920 a lovely dear, a graceful doe. 00:02:10.420 --> 00:02:13.180 Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight. 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:16.400 Be intoxicated always in her love. 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:19.040 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:20.360 with a forbidden woman, 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:23.280 and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? 00:02:23.920 --> 00:02:26.520 For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, 00:02:26.520 --> 00:02:28.620 and he ponders all his past. 00:02:29.100 --> 00:02:31.219 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:33.939 and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 00:02:34.480 --> 00:02:36.860 He dies for lack of discipline, 00:02:37.320 --> 00:02:39.100 and because of his great folly, 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:40.260 he is led astray. 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:42.140 This is God's word. 00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:46.260 Over the last six weeks, 00:02:46.480 --> 00:02:49.340 we took a hiatus from our sermon series in Proverbs 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:50.560 to study 1 John. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:53.580 So this allowed us to focus 00:02:53.580 --> 00:02:54.879 on some Christian fundamentals, 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:57.939 such as the person and work of Jesus Christ, 00:02:58.299 --> 00:03:01.199 and the importance of Christian obedience and love. 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.019 This week, we're returning to the book of Proverbs. 00:03:04.460 --> 00:03:06.900 So I think it's helpful to do a quick recap 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:08.819 of where we've been in Proverbs. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:10.319 A few weeks back, 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:12.740 Sean unpacked the three different contexts 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:13.819 we need to pay attention to 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:14.819 as we study scripture. 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:16.479 The historical context, 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:17.960 the literary context, 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:19.300 and the theological context. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:23.260 So the historical context answers questions like, 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:24.600 who wrote the text? 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:26.000 Who's the audience? 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:27.080 When was it written? 00:03:27.320 --> 00:03:28.020 Why was it written? 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:29.500 And for Proverbs, 00:03:29.760 --> 00:03:32.280 we learned that King Solomon was the lead author, 00:03:32.760 --> 00:03:34.120 though not the sole author. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:37.080 So since he wrote most of it, 00:03:37.140 --> 00:03:38.740 or came up with most of it, 00:03:39.100 --> 00:03:41.880 most of the Proverbs dates back to the 10th century BC. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:44.139 In terms of audience, 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:46.120 it wasn't specified to one person, 00:03:46.299 --> 00:03:47.879 but given to all people 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:50.859 across class and profession and gender. 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:54.620 It's not intended just for the young and uneducated, 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:57.479 but it was given to the simple and the wise, 00:03:57.659 --> 00:03:59.780 so opposite ends of the wisdom spectrum. 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:02.120 Therefore, it includes everyone in between. 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:04.620 And also we learned from Sean 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:06.659 that the collective masculine is used, 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:09.280 or that the masculine pronoun is used 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:11.979 to refer to a group of men and women together. 00:04:12.579 --> 00:04:14.659 So this is relevant for our chapter today 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:18.180 because though chapter five addresses men 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:19.920 to beware of the adulterous, 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:22.399 women can and should apply this instruction 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:24.620 to avoid the adulterer. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:27.219 So that's the historical context. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:30.300 Next, there's the literary context, 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:32.540 which asks questions about words, 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:34.079 syntax, grammar, 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:36.139 as well as the genre. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.439 So Proverbs belongs to wisdom genre, 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:42.319 as opposed to say narratives or epistles. 00:04:42.659 --> 00:04:45.439 And it's written in the style of poetry. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:49.439 In poetry, not only is an idea communicated, 00:04:49.719 --> 00:04:52.139 but the text tries to do so beautifully 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:55.279 and with imaginative and figurative language. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:59.459 So reading Proverbs will be a different experience 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:03.339 than reading example Paul's epistle to the Romans. 00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:06.639 Finally, there's the theological context, 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:08.639 which asks questions like, 00:05:09.239 --> 00:05:11.000 how does this fit with the rest of scripture? 00:05:11.679 --> 00:05:13.639 What does it teach us about God? 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:15.439 How does it relate to Jesus? 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:20.859 This book helps us to live life in the fear of the Lord, 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:24.259 to live every moment before the presence of God, 00:05:24.719 --> 00:05:26.279 under the authority of God, 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:27.679 and for the glory of God. 00:05:28.419 --> 00:05:31.359 As Proverbs chapter one, verse seven says, 00:05:31.739 --> 00:05:34.659 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:37.500 Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:40.059 A person who trusts God, 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:41.479 who loves him, 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:43.379 who lives for him, 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.619 this will be a person who lives in the fear of God. 00:05:46.620 --> 00:05:50.720 And it is a life entered into by humbling ourselves 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:54.699 and receiving the message of Christ crucified for us. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:57.540 That we who are sinners condemned to death, 00:05:58.040 --> 00:05:59.560 we were loved so much by God 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:01.439 that he sent his only son into the world 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.860 to die on our behalf on the cross. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:06.319 And those who trust in Christ for salvation 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:08.840 will be saved from death to eternal life. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:12.379 That's what we humbly receive and trust. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:17.240 This is the ultimate wisdom that this world foolishly despises 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:20.719 because it disagrees either with the idea 00:06:20.719 --> 00:06:21.719 that it needs saving 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:25.060 or it doesn't like having to be saved 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:26.680 through faith in Jesus. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:30.680 But for us, Christ is our wisdom from God. 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:32.719 It's in this Christ-centered life 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:35.159 that the wisdom of Proverbs comes alive 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:36.100 and that it makes sense. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:40.319 So that's the theological context. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.459 We've covered the first four chapters so far. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:45.099 And in the first four chapters, 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:46.860 we've hit themes like 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:49.379 the importance of getting wisdom, 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:52.319 entrusting ourselves completely to God, 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:56.139 seeing the signposts from God's word 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:57.959 that tell us to beware of sin, 00:06:58.159 --> 00:06:59.180 turn away from sin, 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:02.159 to walk in his ways, God's ways. 00:07:02.779 --> 00:07:05.120 And one of the signposts back in chapter two 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:06.439 was about adultery. 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:09.379 And our chapter today goes into more depth 00:07:09.379 --> 00:07:11.259 on this topic of adultery. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.180 It serves as a huge signpost that says, 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:17.699 warning, danger, don't commit adultery, turn away. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:19.240 That's what this chapter says. 00:07:19.939 --> 00:07:22.219 So the main message of our passage today 00:07:22.219 --> 00:07:24.620 is that we should stay away from the adulteress 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.920 and take pleasure in our spouse 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:28.600 as God intended us to do. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:32.420 The passage is organized into three parts. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:34.120 There's verses one through six 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:37.000 on the end of adultery as death. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:39.500 Verses seven through 14 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:42.600 on the consequences of adultery as ruin. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:45.459 And verses 15 through 23 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:48.220 on the ways of God as the light. 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:51.980 A quick pause here for our parents 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:54.560 to point out that the content of this chapter 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:56.700 involves the topics of adultery 00:07:56.700 --> 00:07:58.580 and intimacy in marriage. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.900 And I know we have a broad age group 00:08:00.900 --> 00:08:02.440 tuning in to our worship service. 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:05.540 So I'll do my best to keep this child friendly. 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:07.000 That being said, 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:10.260 the passage itself is relatively racy 00:08:10.260 --> 00:08:11.480 as we've already read. 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:14.280 And God's word is very good 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:16.779 and does not require any censorship. 00:08:17.159 --> 00:08:18.799 So anyway, 00:08:18.919 --> 00:08:20.079 I want to give that quick heads up 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:22.259 for parents before we dive in here. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:25.699 So let's look at the first section 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:27.519 in verses one through six. 00:08:27.679 --> 00:08:31.000 It talks about the end of adultery being death. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:33.120 So verse one says, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:36.199 my son, be attentive to my wisdom. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:38.860 Incline your ear to my understanding. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:43.799 You know, a child might make bad life decisions 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:46.319 because no one's around to tell him any better. 00:08:46.979 --> 00:08:48.699 Or he might be getting good advice, 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:50.359 but choosing to ignore it. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:53.299 So it's helpful for us to be told 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:54.979 to listen up to wisdom. 00:08:55.699 --> 00:08:58.099 And in verses two through four, 00:08:58.439 --> 00:09:00.379 we see a contrast between 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.240 the lips of the son 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.579 and the lips of the forbidden woman. 00:09:05.839 --> 00:09:08.899 The son having received wisdom into his heart, 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:11.379 he must now guard this knowledge 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.659 with his lips, it says. 00:09:12.659 --> 00:09:13.679 In other words, 00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:15.620 he must carefully consider this knowledge. 00:09:15.719 --> 00:09:16.600 He's got to think about it, 00:09:16.719 --> 00:09:17.159 ponder it, 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:20.439 which will lead to him eventually speaking it 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:22.959 and even teaching them to other people. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:25.419 This is in contrast to the lips 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:26.679 of the forbidden woman, 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:28.259 which drip honey 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:30.279 and are smoother than oil, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.240 but lead to death. 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:35.620 What's translated in verse three 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.980 as forbidden woman 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:40.459 is literally foreigner or stranger. 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:42.379 In this context, 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.680 it refers to someone 00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:45.700 who is outside the circle 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:47.480 of a man's proper relations, 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:48.540 is foreign to that. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:50.220 So here it's an adulteress 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:52.220 who is forbidden to a man. 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:55.220 And here her words are described 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.980 as dripping honey 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.560 and smoother than oil. 00:09:59.420 --> 00:10:01.040 They are seductive, 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:02.980 sweet to listen to. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.660 They promise pleasure and satisfaction. 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:08.539 And maybe in our lives, 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.879 they might appear as subtle compliments 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.000 about our appearance 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:14.019 or caring questions 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:16.500 that try to make an emotional connection. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:19.079 They might be flirtatious 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:21.319 or suggested innuendos, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.259 but all that seek entrance 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:26.600 into the intimate spaces of our hearts 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:29.740 that are reserved solely for our spouse. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:33.659 So don't be fooled by these sweet words. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.759 They are initially sweet, 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:39.060 but they hide the poisonous aftertaste of death. 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:41.820 It says in verses four through six, 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:43.259 but in the end, 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:45.460 she is bitter as the wormwood, 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:47.299 sharp as a two-edged sword. 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:49.600 Her feet go down to death. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.379 Her steps follow the path to shale. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:53.539 She does not ponder the path of life. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.500 Her ways wander, 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:55.940 and she does not know it. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:59.440 Her words start sweet as honey. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.960 But in the end, 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:02.360 it's bitter as wormwood. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:04.580 They're smoother than oil, 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:06.399 but then they're sharp like a sword. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:09.899 I think this is a helpful description for us 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.600 of how sin operates 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:14.860 and how the devil tries to lure us in. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:19.899 Sin does have something pleasurable about it. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:20.700 It's appealing, 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:23.460 or else we never get tempted by it. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:28.139 But it's important for us to consider 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:30.080 what it's going to end up like. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:33.519 I have this image of Satan 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:35.340 walking the streets of East Cambridge, 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:37.680 and it's sadly a common occurrence 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:39.040 to find a lot of dog poop around 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:40.500 because people don't pick up the dog poop. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.879 So I think of Satan, 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.639 like picking up one of those pieces of dog poop 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:46.580 and covering it with a few coats of honey, 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:48.000 and then he hands it over to you. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:50.379 So that's what it's like to be offered sin, 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:51.539 to be offered adultery. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.340 He likes to tell us 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:57.840 about the initial pleasures of sin 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:59.159 while hiding its bitterness 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.299 and hiding its death 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:02.899 that inevitably come and destroy us. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:06.740 It's like when he deceived Adam and Eve 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.299 in the garden, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.039 but he lied. 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:10.000 He lied, 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.559 and he said that they wouldn't die, 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.740 which was exactly contrary 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.919 to what God had told them. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:17.639 Or when he advertises the fun 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:19.259 of getting drunk 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.120 while hiding the hangover, 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.559 bad decision-making, 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:25.199 long-term health risks 00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:26.379 like liver disease, 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.919 if that's kept up. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:31.199 Or when we're tempted to vent our anger 00:12:31.199 --> 00:12:32.659 and verbally abuse someone 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:34.799 because, honestly, 00:12:34.959 --> 00:12:36.659 it just feels so good sometimes 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:37.299 to let loose. 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:40.539 But we don't see the hurt 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.500 and the pain that comes 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.639 and the healing that's needed 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:45.220 because we fail to speak truth in love. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:47.860 Or here in this chapter, 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.259 when we're tempted to enjoy sex 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.220 outside of marriage, 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:53.399 and we only see the gratification, 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:56.120 we only see the immediate opportunity, 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.659 but not the pain, 00:12:58.199 --> 00:12:58.919 the emptiness, 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:01.460 our opening the way up 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.319 for possible divorce 00:13:03.319 --> 00:13:04.460 and abortions 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.580 and health issues. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:08.600 But again, 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.639 coming back to 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.940 what Proverbs, 00:13:11.040 --> 00:13:11.300 the book, 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:11.759 is about, 00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:13.379 here we see the importance 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:15.120 of the fear of God 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.840 being the foundation of wisdom 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.360 because 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:19.180 even with these examples 00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:19.840 that I've mentioned, 00:13:20.020 --> 00:13:21.379 it's possible to weigh 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.379 the pros and cons 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.820 without God in the picture 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.980 and say, 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:26.080 yeah, 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:27.840 it's still worth it for me. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.139 There are ways 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.140 that I can protect myself 00:13:30.140 --> 00:13:31.820 enough from the risks. 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.980 But if God is 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:35.320 our Heavenly Father 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:36.100 who loves us, 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.540 if Christ is the one 00:13:37.540 --> 00:13:38.700 who died for us, 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:41.040 if the Holy Spirit 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:41.820 is within us 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.920 to empower us 00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:44.760 to become more like Christ, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.340 then the pros 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.740 never outweigh the cons. 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.240 It's never worth it 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:50.020 for us to sin. 00:13:50.900 --> 00:13:51.940 So here we see 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:52.460 the importance 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:54.120 of the fear of God. 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:56.860 Finally, 00:13:57.020 --> 00:13:57.980 at the end of the section, 00:13:58.660 --> 00:13:59.820 notice in verse 6 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:01.820 how the adulterous woman 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.300 is lost. 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:04.860 She's not seeking 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:06.400 the paths of life 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:06.920 and wisdom. 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:08.480 She doesn't know 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.780 that she's lost. 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.460 This person 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.720 who's speaking smoothly 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.920 and sweetly to you, 00:14:14.140 --> 00:14:14.980 who's pleasant, 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.940 but trying to get you 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:18.400 to stray from God's ways, 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:20.320 this person doesn't have 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.600 your best interests 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.140 at heart. 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.860 She doesn't even have 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.920 her own best interests 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:25.540 at heart. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:28.599 So we see that 00:14:28.599 --> 00:14:29.599 the end of adultery 00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:30.799 is death. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.279 And there is wisdom 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:32.980 in considering 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.659 the end 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:35.259 of our decisions. 00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:37.860 Moving on to 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.860 the second section 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.360 of verses 7 through 14, 00:14:41.099 --> 00:14:42.639 there's another plea 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.059 to listen to these words 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.539 of wisdom 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.339 because the consequences 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:47.259 of adultery 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.319 is ruin. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.459 The specific advice 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.439 in verse 8 is, 00:14:51.839 --> 00:14:52.259 it says, 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.139 keep your way 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.139 far from her 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.439 and do not go near 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.679 the door of her house. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.059 Adultery is not something 00:14:59.059 --> 00:15:00.360 to be played around with. 00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:02.080 We need to take it seriously. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:02.919 We need to flee 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.919 from this temptation. 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:06.199 A great biblical example 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.319 of doing this well 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:08.340 is Joseph 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.899 in Genesis 39. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.620 So Joseph 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.759 is one of the 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:14.000 12 sons of Jacob 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.100 and he's sold 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.120 into slavery 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.059 by his brothers. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.340 And he ends up 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:20.899 being bought 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.919 by a man 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.720 named Potiphar. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.320 So listen with me 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.040 as I read 00:15:25.040 --> 00:15:26.200 a few verses 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:27.000 from Genesis 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.160 chapter 39. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:30.779 Now, 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.600 Joseph had been 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.240 brought down 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.879 to Egypt 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:34.139 and Potiphar, 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.320 an officer of Pharaoh, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.519 the captain of the guard, 00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:37.460 an Egyptian, 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:38.500 had bought him 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.460 from the Ishmaelites 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.240 who had brought him 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.779 down there. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.340 The Lord was 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.060 with Joseph 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:44.080 and he became 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.100 a successful man 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.540 and he was in the house 00:15:46.540 --> 00:15:47.860 of his Egyptian master. 00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.680 His master saw 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.340 that the Lord 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.200 was with him 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.340 and that the Lord 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.879 caused all that he did 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.160 to succeed in his hands. 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:57.200 So Joseph found favor 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:57.840 in his sight 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.780 and attended him 00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.600 and made him 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:01.080 overseer of his house 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.300 and he put him 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.700 in charge 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.700 of all that he had. 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:05.160 From the time 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:05.940 that he made him 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:07.300 overseer in his house 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.840 and over all that he had, 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.120 the Lord blessed 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.100 the Egyptian's house 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.220 for Joseph's sake. 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.020 The blessing of the Lord 00:16:14.020 --> 00:16:15.240 was on all that he had 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.420 in house and field. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.379 So he left all that he had 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.200 in Joseph's charge 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.320 and because of him 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.460 he had no concern 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.180 about anything 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:23.400 but the food he ate. 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:26.120 Now Joseph was handsome 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.560 in form and appearance 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.060 and after a time 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:30.420 his master's wife 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.720 cast her eyes 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.320 on Joseph 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:32.860 and said, 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.940 Lie with me. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.720 But he refused 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.060 and said to his master's wife, 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.100 Behold, 00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:39.259 because of me 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:39.980 my master 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.060 has no concern 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.740 about anything 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.360 in the house 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.900 and he has put everything 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:44.680 that he has 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.680 in my charge. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.920 He is not greater 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.500 in this house 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.139 than I am 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:49.480 nor has he kept back 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.740 anything from me 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.820 except you 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:53.580 because you are his wife. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.299 How then can I do 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.340 this great wickedness 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.779 and sin against God? 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.159 And as she spoke to him, 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.419 as he spoke to Joseph 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.480 day after day, 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.820 he would not listen to her 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:05.200 to lie beside her 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.519 or to be with her. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.420 But one day 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.599 when he went into the house 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.279 to do his work 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.619 and none of the men 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.099 of the house 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.220 was there in the house, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.380 she caught him 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:14.960 by his garment 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.860 saying, 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:16.780 Lie with me. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.520 But he left his garment 00:17:18.520 --> 00:17:19.220 in her hand 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.900 and fled 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:21.060 and got out 00:17:21.060 --> 00:17:21.680 of the house. 00:17:23.520 --> 00:17:24.780 So what does 00:17:24.780 --> 00:17:26.320 Joseph do well here? 00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:27.760 First, 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.620 we see that 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.780 he maintained 00:17:29.780 --> 00:17:30.900 a strong connection 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:33.020 and a strong relationship 00:17:33.020 --> 00:17:34.260 with God. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.020 His primary objection 00:17:36.020 --> 00:17:36.480 was, 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.780 How can I do this wrong 00:17:37.780 --> 00:17:38.600 against God? 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.100 Even through 00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:41.560 his very difficult 00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:42.240 circumstances, 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:44.660 he cultivated 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.279 this deep 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.640 relationship 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.819 with God 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.420 and he didn't 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:50.240 turn away 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.279 from him. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:52.799 Second, 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.720 we see that 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.759 he didn't 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.140 justify adultery. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:57.599 He doesn't think 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.140 to himself, 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.180 you know, 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.400 I've had a hard life. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.599 I deserve this. 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.940 It's not that big 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.480 of a deal. 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.079 My master 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.440 is a loser anyway. 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:06.859 I mean, 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.700 I'm doing all the hard 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.460 work around here. 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.380 I'm earning the money. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.620 Plus, 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.579 his wife wants me 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.220 more than he wants. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.620 than him. 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.279 Right? 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:13.859 So he doesn't 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:15.079 think these thoughts. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.500 And the situation 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.500 is not about himself 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.819 and what he wants, 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.359 but it's about 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.000 loving God. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.839 It's about loving 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.500 his master 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.319 who's treated him 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:23.799 so well. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.480 Third, 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.660 he makes no space 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.500 for temptation. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.900 He refuses 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.940 to even be 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:31.099 with Potiphar's wife 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.819 in verse 10 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.740 once he identifies 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.380 this temptation. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.559 And when she 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.660 tries to trap him, 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.259 he bolts. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.420 He just gets out of there. 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.819 He even leaves 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.819 his clothes behind him. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:42.299 What does this look 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.019 like for us? 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.359 Maybe it's 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.439 in a work situation. 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.220 Maybe there's 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.000 someone at work 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.299 who's making advances 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.980 towards you. 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.740 Someone that you 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.379 have a ton 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:53.179 of contact with 00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:54.240 and honestly, 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.119 you can't avoid 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:57.139 not seeing this person. 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.460 You know that 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.099 he or she 00:18:59.099 --> 00:18:59.480 is going to be 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.039 a problem 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.279 for your marriage. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.619 So then maybe 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.539 it's time to look 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.240 for another job. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:06.339 or there's a friend 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.819 of the opposite sex 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.880 that you spend 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.680 a lot of time with. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.640 You get along 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.400 with really well 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:13.500 but you guys 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.920 are getting 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.299 uncomfortably close. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.140 You're sharing 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:18.079 too many deep things, 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.140 being more 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.120 emotionally connected 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.900 with this person 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.579 than with your spouse. 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.259 Maybe it's time 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.599 to cut that friendship off. 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.500 Whatever it might be, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:27.940 again, 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.900 this is something 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.900 to take seriously. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.359 It's something 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.940 to flee. 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.920 We've got to identify 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.740 its sources 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.779 and kill it. 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.000 It also helps 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.880 to share 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.500 this temptation 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.519 with a close 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.240 Christian friend 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:42.080 so you can be 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:42.740 prayed for, 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:43.340 you can be 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.000 kept accountable 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:46.019 and so that's helpful. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.580 Moving on 00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.240 in the passage, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.519 verses 9-14, 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.880 they talk about 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.660 the consequences 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.740 of adultery. 00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:57.100 Verses 9-10 say, 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.140 Lest you give 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:00.220 your honor to others 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.980 and your years 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.779 to the merciless, 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.980 lest strangers 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.899 take their fill 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.779 of your strength 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.839 and your labors 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.740 go to the house 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.500 of a foreigner. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.299 These verses 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.059 talk about 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.259 the economic ruin 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.420 that come from 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:12.980 infidelity. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.379 So the words 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:15.279 your honor, 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.339 your years, 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.299 your strength, 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.420 your labors, 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.779 these talk about 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.480 the effort 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.920 and the good yield 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.720 of one's life 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.359 and they're being 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.000 funneled 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.139 because of adultery 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:26.899 to others. 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.680 It's unclear 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.559 exactly who 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.440 the others are. 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.420 There are a few 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.559 possibilities. 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.460 It could be 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.759 the jealous husband 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.559 of the adulteress. 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:37.799 It could be 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.720 that man's family. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.759 It could be 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.299 the family 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:42.380 of this person's 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.539 cheated wife. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.440 And in terms 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:48.059 of what we see 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:50.259 and what we might 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.019 see in our lives, 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.100 the financial consequences 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:52.820 of adultery, 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.360 you know, 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.820 they can be 00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.920 a divorce settlement, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.720 they can be 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.940 child support payments, 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.200 they could be 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.259 blackmail 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.099 from the person 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.559 that you had 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.200 an affair with, 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.879 but it's pointing 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:04.400 to the fact 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.259 that adultery 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.480 can ruin you 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:06.980 economically 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.660 and financially. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.059 Verse 11 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.779 speaks of 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:12.039 groaning 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.740 at the end 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.480 of one's life. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:13.839 It says, 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.660 when your flesh 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.319 and body 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.180 are consumed. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.240 This could refer 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.119 to the ill physical 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.640 effects 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:22.940 of sexual immorality, 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:23.839 for example, 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.640 from sexually 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.599 transmitted diseases, 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.059 though this 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.759 doesn't necessarily 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.699 have to be the case 00:21:28.699 --> 00:21:29.759 in this passage. 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:31.199 It might just be 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:32.219 saying that 00:21:32.219 --> 00:21:33.219 at the end of life, 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.439 when this person's 00:21:35.439 --> 00:21:36.459 physical vitality 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:37.279 has left him, 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.500 he looks back 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.139 on his life 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.839 with regret 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.759 at the decisions 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.240 he's made. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.919 So that's 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:43.759 verse 11. 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.819 In verse 14, 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.740 it refers to 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.480 the social 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.179 consequences 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:50.439 of 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:52.699 this person's 00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:53.259 mistakes. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.740 So it says, 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.859 I am at the brink 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.960 of utter ruin 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.960 in the assembled 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.559 congregation. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.700 When infidelity 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.500 comes to light 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.539 in a public setting, 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.700 there could be 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.480 dishonor 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.319 and humiliation 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.720 for those 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.940 involved in the affair 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:09.379 and also those 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.660 related to those people. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.059 There might be 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.680 professional consequences, 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:16.460 for example, 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.539 for those in government 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.539 whose roles 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.980 involve 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.799 and require 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.819 public trust 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.339 and opinion. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:24.399 And so 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:24.819 the takeaway 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.119 from this section 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.099 is that 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.599 adultery 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.199 can bring 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:28.559 ruin 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.339 to your life 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:31.199 economically, 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:31.839 physically, 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.059 and socially. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.879 Finally, 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.220 in the last section 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.799 in verses 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.619 15 to 23, 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.939 we read about 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:42.119 the ways of God 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:43.299 as the light 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.559 and how we 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.339 should live. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.779 Remember that 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.319 repentance 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.879 involves 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.699 a turning away 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:50.259 from sin, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.279 but it's not 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.140 just a turning 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.900 away from sin. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.460 It's a turning 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.319 to God 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.299 in faith 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:55.900 and obedience. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.460 So they're 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.259 two sides 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.140 of the same coin. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.759 So this chapter 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.339 has already 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.160 instructed us 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:02.240 that the sin 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.519 that we're 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.079 turning away 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:03.700 from is 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.259 adultery 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.420 and we're 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.500 turning to God 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.460 and walking 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.359 in His ways 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.440 of being 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.579 sexually satisfied 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.039 in our spouse. 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:14.200 the imagery 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.899 of drinking 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.460 water 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.779 is present 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.180 throughout 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.839 these verses 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.480 referring to 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.279 our thirst 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.319 being quenched. 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.539 There's 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.700 drink water 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.500 from your own 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.039 cistern 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.019 in verse 15. 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.599 In verse 16, 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.039 it says 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.200 it points to 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.139 streams of water. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.779 Let your fountain 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.420 be blessed 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.379 in verse 18. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.740 And this points 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.720 to the fact 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.259 that God 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.659 has created us 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:38.940 as sexual creatures 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.279 and He has 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.620 provided for us 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:43.240 with marriage 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.980 to meet our 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.860 sexual desires 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:45.860 where we can 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:47.000 satisfy our thirst 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.940 and we can 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.820 drink deeply 00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:50.140 from our spouse. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.220 This idea 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.840 of drinking 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.299 water 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.120 from your 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:55.120 own cistern 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.320 is referring 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:57.320 to the water 00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.299 pit that people 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.779 in the dry 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.920 area of Canaan 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.380 would hollow out 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.920 in the rocky 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.320 ground. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.100 So they would 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.720 dig this pit 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.960 and then they 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.460 would use it 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.160 to collect 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.120 and store 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.740 rainwater. 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.980 for its owner. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.860 And verses 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.900 16 through 17 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.539 say, 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.820 should your springs 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.620 be scattered 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.380 abroad, 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.340 streams of water 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.100 in the streets, 00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.240 let them be 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.920 for yourself 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.140 alone and not 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:22.720 for strangers 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.559 with you. 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.140 These verses 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.799 are saying 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:27.940 enjoy the spouse 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.620 that only 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.980 you have access 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.360 to. 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.920 It's referring 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.539 to the idea 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.640 of privately 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.320 owned property 00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:35.200 versus common 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.680 property. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.940 As in 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.400 only you can 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.040 drink from 00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:39.759 the cistern 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.220 in your 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.560 backyard 00:24:40.560 --> 00:24:40.920 that you 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.160 dug 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:43.000 while the 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.580 water fountain 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.500 in the park, 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:44.840 I mean, 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.480 anyone can 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.960 drink from 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.200 there, 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.680 right? 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.920 So within 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.300 a faithful 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:48.820 marriage, 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.700 husband and 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.220 wife are 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.900 enjoying one 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.220 another 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.960 exclusively, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.740 whereas with 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.440 an adulteress, 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:56.539 she or he 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:56.940 is less 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.740 concerned about 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.539 exclusivity 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.860 and more 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.640 concerned about 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.680 availability, 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.460 right? 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.600 So these 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.160 verses are 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.580 saying, 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.900 don't let the 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.559 source of your 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.600 satisfaction be 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.660 common and 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.200 shared, 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.240 but let it be 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.900 private, 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.019 special, 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.240 belonging to 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.980 you only. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.799 There's also 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.900 the alternative 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.860 interpretation 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:21.339 that this 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.319 warning of 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:24.519 not letting 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.019 your springs 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.539 be scattered 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.000 abroad, 00:25:26.459 --> 00:25:27.279 that it's 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:27.879 a warning 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:29.759 that your 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.500 spouse might 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.599 be unfaithful 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.399 to you if 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:32.759 you are 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.279 unfaithful. 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:36.079 I think 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.859 this interpretation 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.799 is problematic 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.519 for a couple 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:38.939 reasons. 00:25:39.719 --> 00:25:40.419 First, 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.759 the wife 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.519 in verse 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.399 15 is 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:43.959 referred to 00:25:43.959 --> 00:25:44.219 in the 00:25:44.219 --> 00:25:45.059 singular as 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.619 your own 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.219 sister and 00:25:46.219 --> 00:25:46.679 your own 00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:47.039 well, 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:47.959 but in 00:25:47.959 --> 00:25:48.539 verse 16, 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.059 it talks 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.879 about springs 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.720 and streams 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.059 in the 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.339 plural. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.059 So there's 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.359 no good 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.079 reason that 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.480 a wife 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:54.799 would be 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.519 changed from 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.019 singular to 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.659 plural from 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.240 one verse 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.480 to the 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.759 next. 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.019 And also 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.399 a second 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:01.659 problem is 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:02.059 in terms of 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.399 cause and 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:02.720 effect, 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.279 it's difficult 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.700 to think 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.879 that just 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.440 because you 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.119 are unfaithful 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.960 you would 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.480 automatically 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.059 cause your 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.940 spouse to 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:10.099 choose to 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.779 be unfaithful. 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:12.779 He or she 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.180 might be 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.940 deeply hurt, 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.440 yes, 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.220 extremely angry, 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:16.879 yes, 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.119 but making 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:18.819 the same 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.459 foolish 00:26:19.459 --> 00:26:20.199 decisions 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.599 that you 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:20.919 make, 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.579 that is 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.199 not necessarily 00:26:24.199 --> 00:26:24.539 true. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.799 So I 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.099 would go 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.739 with the 00:26:27.739 --> 00:26:28.639 previous 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.219 interpretation. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.379 Moving on 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.839 to verses 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.439 18 to 00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:32.779 19, 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.259 notice the 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.919 imagery and 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.699 language used 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:36.059 here. 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.919 It says, 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:38.179 rejoice in 00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:38.739 the wife 00:26:38.739 --> 00:26:39.119 of your 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:39.599 youth, 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.539 a lovely 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:40.939 dear, 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.739 a graceful 00:26:41.739 --> 00:26:42.099 doe. 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.599 Let her 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.299 breasts fill 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.779 you at all 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.339 times with 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.739 delight, 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.079 being intoxicated 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.819 always in 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.240 her love. 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.539 The husband 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:49.960 is to be 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.679 intoxicated, 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.879 drenched, 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.199 lost in 00:26:53.199 --> 00:26:53.679 his wife's 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:53.960 love. 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.259 This phrase 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.599 of being 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.339 intoxicated 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.779 again is a 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.359 bit racy as 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:58.639 I mentioned 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.639 earlier and 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.119 it can have 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.559 negative 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.339 connotations 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.859 when referring 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.639 to alcohol 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.599 or even 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.460 the adulterers 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.059 in verse 20. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.960 But when it 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.559 comes to the 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.139 love of your 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.559 spouse, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.419 it's a 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.259 good thing 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.099 to be 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:11.339 lost in 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:11.939 her love 00:27:11.939 --> 00:27:12.240 and in 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.740 his love. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.539 note that 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.339 this enjoyment 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.000 of one's 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.759 spouse is 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:18.019 both 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.880 qualitative 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.400 and 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:19.980 quantitative. 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.700 Qualitatively, 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.700 the husband 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.680 rejoices and 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.259 is filled 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.940 with delight. 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.599 And 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.500 quantitatively, 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.640 it is at 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.380 all times 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:29.259 and always. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.640 Of course, 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.120 there's more 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.900 wisdom that 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.279 goes into 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.319 the practical 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.099 implications 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.620 of a 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.120 healthy love 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.420 life. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.539 So if 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:38.980 your husband 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:40.500 planning on 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.460 coming to 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:41.859 shop for 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.620 counseling and 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.299 complaining that 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.779 your wife 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.379 isn't 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.139 intoxicating 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:45.719 you enough 00:27:45.719 --> 00:27:46.759 since she's 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.500 not at 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.039 all times 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.659 and always 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:50.359 providing for 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:50.679 you when 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.039 you want 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.239 it, 00:27:53.239 --> 00:27:54.099 and you 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.399 want him 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:54.779 to call 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.299 her out 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.679 that she's 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:55.919 a bad 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.239 wife, 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:56.719 you should 00:27:56.719 --> 00:27:57.279 prepare to 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.919 be surprised, 00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:58.559 disappointed 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.099 when he calls 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.819 you out as 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.059 a bad 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.359 husband. 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.759 But still, 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.359 it's important 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.259 here of the 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.919 idea that 00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:04.679 the wife is 00:28:04.679 --> 00:28:05.519 available to 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.000 quench the 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.339 husband's 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:06.739 thirst and 00:28:06.739 --> 00:28:07.199 vice versa. 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.219 That's how 00:28:08.219 --> 00:28:09.119 God meant 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.559 it to be. 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:10.919 In verses 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:11.679 21 through 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:12.239 23, 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:14.099 it ends 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.539 the chapter 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.059 by pointing 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.699 out God's 00:28:15.699 --> 00:28:16.259 omniscience 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.000 and justice. 00:28:17.459 --> 00:28:17.859 So God 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.279 is omniscient. 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.119 He knows 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.519 all, 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.079 he sees 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.359 all, 00:28:21.739 --> 00:28:22.199 all the 00:28:22.199 --> 00:28:22.779 paths of 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.339 men are 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.959 before him. 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:25.279 And God 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.919 is just. 00:28:26.439 --> 00:28:26.839 The wicked 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:28.199 will face 00:28:28.199 --> 00:28:28.959 the consequences 00:28:28.959 --> 00:28:29.839 of their 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.279 sin and 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.019 their foolishness. 00:28:31.719 --> 00:28:32.000 And though 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.379 we're talking 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.500 specifically about 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.299 adultery in 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.819 this chapter, 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:35.979 these verses 00:28:35.979 --> 00:28:36.719 help to zoom 00:28:36.719 --> 00:28:37.379 out onto 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.259 all sin. 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.259 it's not 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.839 just adultery 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.440 that arises 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.579 from a 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:41.960 lack of 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.379 discipline, 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:42.920 as it says 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.240 in verses 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.720 23, 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:44.599 but all 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.220 wickedness. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.839 So let's 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.619 wrap up by 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.660 talking a 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.339 few application 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:50.980 points here. 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.220 Why might 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.059 we be tempted 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.019 to commit 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.440 adultery? 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.059 What lies 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.099 does the 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:58.259 enemy throw 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.799 into our 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.519 faces to 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.119 tempt us? 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.879 One thought 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.799 is around 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.900 our needs 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.799 being satisfied. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.680 We might 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.960 think my 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.659 needs aren't 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.259 being met. 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.619 My marriage 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.419 is really 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:10.839 difficult. 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:11.819 And honestly, 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.659 it has been 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.059 for a long 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.440 time. 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.639 This chapter 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.099 paints a 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.720 rosy but 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.200 unrealistic 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.119 picture of 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.519 marriage. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.879 I deserve 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:19.759 to be happy, 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:21.099 even if that's 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.500 not with my 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.879 spouse. 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.200 So that 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.019 is one 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.359 thought. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.839 First, 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.460 let me address 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.039 that marriage 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.339 is difficult. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.139 It's really 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.480 difficult. 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.339 We are all 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.980 sinful people. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.139 And two 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:32.639 people in 00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:32.940 marriage, 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.480 it's like 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.200 two pieces 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.920 of rough 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.600 metal that 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.640 come really 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.380 close and 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.080 rub against 00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:38.460 each other. 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.140 There's going 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:39.500 to be 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:39.980 friction. 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.539 There's going 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.200 to be 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.120 sparks flying 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.580 sometimes. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.059 We should 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.779 expect this 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.500 and not be 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.100 surprised by 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.400 it. 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:47.180 So I don't 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.420 want to 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.360 devalue that. 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.480 But second, 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.640 marriage is 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.559 not about 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.019 our happiness. 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.700 That's not 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.039 what this 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.759 world wants 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.299 to tell us. 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.240 It wants 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:57.680 you to think 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.279 that it's 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.620 all about 00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:58.920 you. 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:00.440 This world 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.279 sells us on 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.080 products and 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.900 services that 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.519 make our 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.519 lives easier, 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.839 more satisfying. 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.420 But marriage 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.220 is not 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:08.759 about you. 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:09.500 It's not 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.019 about me. 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.559 It's not 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:10.940 about our 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.460 happily ever 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:11.779 after. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.440 Of course, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.160 happiness does 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.720 take place in 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.319 marriage, but 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.759 it's not like 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:18.000 a marriage is 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.940 broken if a 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.420 person's not 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:19.779 happy. 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.059 Instead, 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.859 marriage is a 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.680 reflection of 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.119 Christ's 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.859 relationship with 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.339 the church. 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.379 And when we 00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:25.920 reflect this 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.779 well, we 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.639 point to how 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.720 wonderful God 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:30.000 is, how 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.500 great he 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:30.759 is. 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.440 How does 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.600 Jesus treat 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.220 his pride? 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:34.620 How does 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.220 he treat us 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.700 to church? 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.059 We know 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.420 that he 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.220 loves us, 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.360 he nourishes 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.120 us, he 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:40.640 cherishes 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:42.140 us, he 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:42.980 chooses to 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.019 take the 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.620 worst from 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:45.640 us, all 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:45.920 of our 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:47.400 mistakes, all 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:47.720 of the 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.220 hateful venom 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.799 that will spit 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.339 out at him, 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.100 all of our 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:51.440 burdens. 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.400 He takes our 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.059 worst and in 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.819 return he gives 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.700 us his best. 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.279 On the cross, 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.940 he took away 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.319 our sin and 00:30:59.319 --> 00:30:59.899 he was punished 00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:01.079 on our behalf. 00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:02.559 And in him, 00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:03.339 we have every 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.220 spiritual blessing 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.920 in the heavenly 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.480 places. 00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.899 He was rich, 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.619 yet for our 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.379 sake he became 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.859 poor so that 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.500 we, by his 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.379 poverty, might 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.259 become rich. 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.039 I mean, how 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.119 absurd would it 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.839 be if Jesus 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.799 treated us the 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.460 same way that 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.980 spouses so 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.740 often treat each 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.700 other in this 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:21.980 world? 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.399 You know, if he 00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.039 said, Ray, 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.660 you know, I've 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.619 sorry, I've 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.119 decided to end 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.659 our relationship 00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.279 because you're 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.179 not really 00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:28.879 satisfying my 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.339 needs and 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:29.759 desires. 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.679 You've been 00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.099 growing apart 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:31.539 from me these 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:31.959 past few 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:32.359 years. 00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:33.519 Honestly, you 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.019 care more 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.919 about your 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:36.399 family, your 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.119 next promotion, 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.819 you're binging 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.500 on Netflix, 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.419 than you care 00:31:40.419 --> 00:31:41.459 about prayer and 00:31:41.459 --> 00:31:42.059 Bible study. 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.139 You know, you 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.079 must not know 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.639 about me, Ray, 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:45.099 because there are 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:45.579 a ton of other 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.019 people who 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:46.699 appreciate me a 00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:47.119 lot more than 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:47.739 you, right? 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:50.399 That's pretty 00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:50.899 ridiculous. 00:31:51.219 --> 00:31:51.659 We know that 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.679 God will never 00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:53.659 leave us nor 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.359 forsake us, 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.659 that he has 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.620 loved us with 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.220 an everlasting 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.820 love. 00:31:58.820 --> 00:31:59.420 Jesus is 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.140 faithful to 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:00.400 us. 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:01.860 So marriage 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:02.340 is not about 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:02.800 our happiness. 00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:04.800 It's about 00:32:04.800 --> 00:32:05.500 reflecting Christ 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.060 in the church. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.340 And it's also 00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:08.240 about our 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:08.900 sanctification. 00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:09.800 It's about 00:32:09.800 --> 00:32:11.060 becoming more 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:11.900 and more holy, 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.800 becoming more 00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:13.900 and more like 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.279 Jesus. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.940 On the cross, 00:32:16.060 --> 00:32:17.100 Jesus took our 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:17.860 worst and gave 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.600 us his best, 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:18.860 right? 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:20.259 So in marriage, 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.779 we get the 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.680 opportunity to 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:22.460 demonstrate that 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.319 to someone 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.740 else. 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:26.119 Because marriage 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:27.240 brings out the 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.079 good and the 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.879 bad and the 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:31.440 ugly, we can 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.379 have the 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:33.500 opportunity to 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.920 receive hurtful 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.379 words, 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.240 inconsiderate 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.839 actions, 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.299 gross 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.180 incompetence, 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.379 and in 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.720 response, we 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.680 get to choose 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.599 to give 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.700 kindness and 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:47.139 patience and 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:47.519 love. 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:49.420 this is 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.859 impossible on 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.319 our own. 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.079 We can't do 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.220 it. 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.519 And the 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.759 world doesn't 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.220 sell us 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.759 anything that 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.240 can help us 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:55.639 with this. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.500 It's only 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.720 God by the 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.359 Holy Spirit 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.900 through Jesus 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:01.759 Christ that 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:02.500 we are made 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.500 new again. 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.740 Another thought 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.160 that might 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:06.779 tempt us to 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.539 adultery is 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.900 that I'm 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.720 strong enough 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.700 to fight this 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.579 temptation or 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.500 I'm not 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.259 susceptible to 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.579 this. 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.900 And though 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:16.139 it might not 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:16.779 be a 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.139 particular 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:18.000 temptation or 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.860 chronic sin 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:19.820 now for 00:33:19.820 --> 00:33:21.020 us, we 00:33:21.020 --> 00:33:21.780 shouldn't let 00:33:21.780 --> 00:33:22.160 our guard 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:22.520 down. 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:25.080 It's when 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:25.820 we're tired, 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.140 when life 00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:28.360 is hard, 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:28.980 when marriage 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.580 is hard, 00:33:30.280 --> 00:33:30.860 when we're 00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.340 not our 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:32.100 best selves, 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:34.340 that then 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:35.259 a woman or 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.360 a man who's 00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.660 basically trained 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.740 himself or 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.420 herself to 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.780 be a 00:33:40.780 --> 00:33:41.259 professional 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.700 seductress or 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.440 seductor who 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.100 comes our way, 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.300 and that's when 00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:45.820 we can all be 00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:46.400 caught off guard. 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:47.600 So don't 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:47.960 play with 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.460 fire, but 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.240 again, flee 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.240 from sin, 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:50.660 flee from 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.100 temptation. 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.440 Another reason 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.940 we might be 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:56.100 tempted towards 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:57.180 adultery is 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.120 the thought that 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.460 I'm strong 00:33:59.460 --> 00:33:59.980 enough to 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.820 figure it out 00:34:00.820 --> 00:34:01.400 on my own, 00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:01.960 and here I'm 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:03.160 referring specifically 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:04.000 to marriage 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.519 struggles. 00:34:04.780 --> 00:34:05.340 When things are 00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:06.040 hard, I can 00:34:06.040 --> 00:34:07.620 just plow 00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.139 through it. 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.380 We are 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.059 supposed to be 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.960 sexually gratified 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.660 in our marriages, 00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.259 relationships, but 00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:13.799 that might not 00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.339 be the case 00:34:14.339 --> 00:34:15.319 due to a 00:34:15.319 --> 00:34:16.559 lot of other 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.219 reasons that 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:17.679 don't have to 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.159 do with sex 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.599 directly. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.619 For example, 00:34:19.899 --> 00:34:20.480 ineffective 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.279 communication, 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:23.379 constant conflict, 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.779 emotional 00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:25.799 disconnection, 00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:27.339 a lack of 00:34:27.339 --> 00:34:28.259 time in a 00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:29.460 busy life, a 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:29.980 lot of things 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.480 can happen. 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.719 And so we 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:33.420 might be tempted 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.599 to tough it 00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.279 out and figure 00:34:35.279 --> 00:34:36.019 it out on our 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:38.279 own, but 00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:39.259 honestly, it 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:40.000 can save us a 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.679 lot of time, 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.319 a lot of 00:34:41.319 --> 00:34:42.599 heartache to 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.339 seek out help 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:44.480 from church 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.259 elders and 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:46.099 from professional 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:46.679 counseling. 00:34:47.279 --> 00:34:47.619 So I'll 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.079 encourage you 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.239 guys to 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:49.579 look into 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:51.039 that and 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.539 feel free to 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.099 speak to me 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:52.799 or Sean or 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.299 Matt about 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:54.219 this more if 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:54.679 you're interested 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.659 in pursuing 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:56.199 this and we 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:56.579 can help 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.719 direct you 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.039 guys. 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.759 So in 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.139 conclusion, 00:35:01.379 --> 00:35:01.779 brothers and 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:02.059 sisters, 00:35:02.419 --> 00:35:04.159 please be 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:04.639 attentive. 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.460 Be attentive 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.000 to God's 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.399 words. 00:35:07.399 --> 00:35:07.739 Keep your 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.559 way far from 00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.319 the adulterer 00:35:09.319 --> 00:35:10.159 that brings 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:10.659 death, 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.399 and ruin. 00:35:12.399 --> 00:35:13.139 Seek to be 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:14.279 satisfied in 00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:14.919 your spouse 00:35:14.919 --> 00:35:16.099 and remember 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:17.079 that God 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.679 loves us and 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:19.519 he wants the 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.219 best for us. 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.179 Amen.