Proverbs 7:18
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Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
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Such words have destroyed many strong men, for flattering attention from a strange woman is a powerful attraction (2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5,21). How can a man resist the affectionate invitation and passionate desire for intimate pleasures coming from a beautiful and confident woman (6:13-17)? He is powerless before her, as Samson proves so clearly (Judges 16:4-21).
Young man, this is an invitation to hell! Make my warning dear to thy soul, and stay far from her (7:1-5). Purpose in your heart now to reject and hate her ways. Despise these words and any woman who speaks them. Flee to the mountains! Save yourself!
Consider the lies, for they are many. She says, "Come," but her heart is not with you (23:6-8). She has no commitment; she doesn't truly want you; she is just using you (6:26). When Potiphar's wife said, "Lie with me" (Gen 39:7,12), Joseph knew to rebuke her wickedness and then to run from her with no regard for propriety or safety.
She says, "Let us take our fill." Yet there is no satisfaction or fulfillment. Sin never satisfies the soul, especially the soul of the righteous (Eccl 5:10). You will not find the pleasure you imagine. Amnon hated Tamar more than he had loved her, when the much-anticipated moment was over. Samson woke from tender arms to find darkness and weakness. The goodman will eventually return, and then what shall become of the young man (7:19-20)? He will find the emptiness of death, hell, and soul destruction (6:26-33).
She calls it "love." And she and others like her speak and sing of it constantly. What can possibly be wrong with love? With love this tender and pleasant? With love this mutual and moving? But it is only lust, for love requires truth, righteousness, and commitment (I Cor 13:4-7; Song 8:6-8). Love desires the best for its object, not for itself; and a woman giving herself outside marriage is selfishly damning your soul to destruction.
She says, "Until the morning." But will the night be without guilt and fear? And what will the morning bring? Pleasant peace and joy? No! The pleasures of sin are only for a season (Heb 11:25), and in sexual sins the season is shorter than most. But what will morning bring? It will bring guilt, fear, confusion, doubts, and frustration. Hate the night!
She says, "Let us solace ourselves with loves." But there is no solace, no comfort or pleasure, for your guilt-stricken and fear-filled soul will devour you with pain and regret, even as you try to enjoy her tender embrace, as Samson discovered so painfully. There is no consolation or cheer with the uncertainty and guilt of a strange woman. What solace is there in walking on coals? Or taking fire in your bosom (6:27-28)?
Young man, she lies! She does not truly want you; she does not love you; she cannot satisfy your heart; short-term pleasure is no pleasure at all; and your soul will punish you far more than any pleasure she can give. You will give your virtue and boldness away, and all you will have for it is guilt, fear, shame, and regret. She lies!
Destroy her power by taking this instruction to heart and making them the most important rules of your life today (7:1-3). Make wisdom your favorite woman and constant companion, rather than the strange woman (7:4-5). Avoid places where she lives and works (4:15; 5:8; 7:8; Rom 13:14). And run from her at full speed (II Tim 2:22).
Young woman, men lie as well. Good men will pursue you through your father, and they will gladly wait for marriage. Reject any words of "love," until he has promised before many to be your committed husband for life. Many girls have given away what they cannot get back for the simple words, "I love you." But he lies! If he will steal such a treasure from you before marriage, he is no better than Amnon, and the results will often be no different (II Sam 13:1-17). He will not love you in the morning. Run to your father, and be safe! Don't hear or speak of love, until your father has approved marriage.
The great Whore of Rome and her harlot daughters beckon to weak souls with the same words, "Come to me, and I will solace you with the pleasures my beautiful religion." They decorate their beds with the same whorish care (7:16-17), only to seduce and trap unsuspecting souls. But those who commit fornication with them shall be lost in the congregation of the dead and damned in this world and the next.
Let us hold fast our profession of faith, making the true church of Christ the only object of our affection, avoiding any compromise toward the Whore's illicit advances, and earnestly contending against her doctrines. Let us be faithful to our glorious bridegroom, the true Lover of our souls, He Who is True and Faithful, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are the enticing words of a strange woman, lying words of a whore, damning words of hell and death (5:5; 7:27; 9:18). These are the words of Potiphar's wife, Delilah, Jezebel, Cleopatra, Monica, and other wicked women. Hate these words! See the lies! Feel the painful consequences (5:4-5,9-11)! Know the mouth speaking them is a deep ditch (23:27)! Prepare against her now, for when you hear her words it will be too late.
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