Proverbs 7:23
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Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
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Casual sex will kill you! How many warnings by God and King Solomon will you ignore? Adultery, fornication, sodomy, whoremongering, and casual sex are deadly sins! It does not matter that they appear innocent, that this wicked generation glamorizes them, or that they give short-term pleasure. They are capital offences that bring death! Reject the deceitful lies of this degenerate generation that propose casual sex as a great pleasure.
Darts through the liver were fatal! Before the perfection of archery and the advent of shotguns and rifles, darts were thrown or thrust as a means of killing wild game or enemies in battle (II Sam 18:14; II Chron 32:5; Job 41:26,29; Eph 6:16; Heb 12:20). The liver, being a very essential internal organ, is synecdoche for vital parts of the body. A well-placed dart piercing the liver or other vital organ of the body would produce death.
Also during this time, birds were captured by snares and then killed (Ps 124:7; Eccl 9:12). Birds do not fly slowly, so the image created by the simile is powerful. A bird, unaware of the snare and its ultimate purpose, swoops in unsuspectingly and is captured easily and killed. It had no idea that death was hidden in the enticing bait. It had no idea that its freedom and life were going to be stolen by such an innocent looking situation.
King Solomon, a wise and inspired father, feared for his son. He knew that whorish women could corrupt his soul, destroy his reputation, ruin his reign, and violate the family tree. He warned him repeatedly of the danger of adulteresses (2:16-19; 5:1-23; 6:20-35; 7:1-27; 9:13-18; 22:14; 23:27-28; 30:20; Eccl 7:26-29). He exhorted him to be faithful to his wife and enjoy her body and legitimate children by her (5:15-19). Every wise father will do the same by frequently warning his children against sexual sins.
The context of this proverb is a lengthy parable describing in detail the seduction of a foolish young man (7:6-23). The proverb before you is the conclusion, which Solomon then followed with an application and exhortation to his children (7:24-27). The young man, bewitched by the appearance, flattery, and assurances of the seductress, went after her as ignorantly and willingly as an ox to the slaughter or a fool to prison (7:22).
The lesson is simple, but crucial. Casual sex, no matter how appealing, is fatal! The visual beauty, the flattering words, and the rush of lustful excitement are lies! The stupid ox is about to be slaughtered; the stupid bird is about to be killed! If you even think about fornication or adultery, you are as stupid as both of them! Death is certain! You cannot see clearly, because you have allowed your lusts to blind your eyes (Jas 1:14-15).
Adultery corrupts the soul (6:32). Adultery condemns the conscience (5:11-14). Adultery ruins the reputation (5:9; 6:30-33). Adultery destroys confidence (6:26). Adultery steals your assets (5:10). Adultery enslaves the heart (5:22). Adultery destroys marriages and violates families (5:17; Mal 2:11-16). Adultery is nearly impossible to end (23:27-28). Adultery can bring revengeful murder (6:34-35). Adultery can bring STD's. Adultery reduces sexual function. Adultery can bring capital punishment (Lev 20:10). Adultery brings God's judgment (Heb 13:4). And then adultery brings eternal hell (Rev 21:8).
But how much of this grave danger did the young man see? None of it! He saw her physical beauty that fired his desires through the lust of his eyes (7:10). He felt her arms and kisses that fired his desires through the lust of the flesh (7:13). And he was mesmerized by her words that stroked his pride of life (7:21). He should have stayed away from her and never looked twice in her direction (Rom 13:14; I John 2:15-17).
Reader, you have three enemies that hate you and will tell you that fornication is not dangerous. First, your depraved heart, controlled by your lusts, will tell you that the warnings are the rantings of old fogies that know nothing about sex. The world, by the direction of the devil, will glamorize, promote, and make it available to you by every means. And Satan and his angels will whisper suggestive thoughts to your mind in favor of it. If you are ignorant or slothful about these enemies, they will take you down.
What is the cure? Write this proverb and its warning of certain death on your heart (6:20-24; 7:1-5,24-27)! Stay away from any and all temptations toward sexual sins, whether it is pornography from a magazine, a romance novel, the television, or the Internet. Reject coed gyms, beaches, bars, office parties, chat rooms, or any place or activity where immoral or unclothed persons congregate. And avoid even those virtuous persons among friends, family, associates, or church members that are a temptation to your soul.
What is the cure? Marry a God-fearing spouse and work at a complete and satisfying relationship with him or her (5:19; I Cor 7:1-5). Neither spouse in Solomon's Song was thinking of adultery! Delight in the long-term pleasures of a legitimate and loving family with many children (5:15-18; Ps 127:3-5; 128:1-4). Replace personal and private activities that tend toward sin with marital and family activities that promote virtue.
Is it too late for you? Are you already involved in this terrible sin? Has the dart already entered your liver? Has the snare already captured you for the kill? Repent! Confess your sin! Admit your stupidity! Run from any further temptation as quickly and surely as Joseph ran from Potiphar's wife (Gen 39:12)! God can and will forgive (Job 33:27-28; I John 1:9)! God can and will honor you yet (I Cor 6:9-11)! David was still God's favorite, even after his aggravated adultery and murder (I Kgs 15:1-5)! But you must repent and run now, this very minute, for you cannot count on conviction or even life tomorrow!
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