Self- Restraint from Sexual Temptation

For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

And beheld among the simple one, I discerned among the youths,

A young man void of understanding,

Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

And behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart.

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

I have peace offerings with me;

this day have I payed my vows.

Therefore, came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

He goeth after her straight way, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

Till a dart strikes through his liver as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her path.

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Source of information: King Solomon

Proverbs 7:6-27 (K.J.V)

 Questions:

How would you describe this woman?

Is there anything about the woman in this story that is different in her life style from some of  today's women?

Is this woman single or married?

Would you characterize this woman as a ‘player’?

Does it appear that she and her husband have an open marriage?

What is your opinion on open marriages?

What are your views about people who allow themselves to get involved in a relationship of this kind?

Is there anything about such relationship that can lead to harm?

What advice would you offer to both males and females that might be of some help in preventing themselves from getting into the situation that the people in this story are involved in?

__Ellen J. Barrier

Author