Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 7:26
And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
The woman that the author described here was a seductive woman who wants only to deceive to have personal gain. I am not talking about a woman fairly created by God equal to man. I am talking to the author, experiencing about a seductive woman, not only sexually but also by influencing his thinking. We know he had many wives and concubines. When the author grew old, his wives ruined his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord, his God.
This happened with the influence of his wives, and this caused him a big problem to his life, because the Lord became angry with him. That is why he said, "I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains." He was trapped and chained by his wives' influence, causing sin and God was angry with him. Then he said "the man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinners she will ensnare." If a man sees the fault of the author, he will escape the seductive woman and never get involved in her trap, because he pleases God more than anything else. That is a wise decision not to be influenced by a seductive woman. But others who do not fear the Lord will be ensnared or deceived by this seductive woman.
The author advised to us men to not be influenced by this kind of woman who can deceive our thoughts. In Proverbs 7, Solomon kept on telling and warning us about the seductive woman who is always waiting for the simple man who lacked judgment to come to her, to drink deep of love until morning to enjoy with forbidden love. Once the simple is seduced, he became a victim and it lead him to chambers of death.
Let us learn from the author's experience. We, Christian men, are not allowed to follow or pursue any interaction with seductive women. Run away from her and always please God and obey His word. Do not mingle with this kind of woman. Avoid her, as the author advised.
Reflection
1. A question for men: Do you get the point of the author to avoid this dangerous, seductive woman?
2. A question for women: Are you aware of your husband? Do you always check him with gentleness if you notice something bad going on?
Remember
If we are true believers, we will avoid this snare. Follow the will of God to be faithful to each other. Always please God with all your heart and avoid the devices of evil.
Read
Proverbs 5:1-23; Proverbs 7:1-27; Matthew 5:1-10; Mark 13:32-37
Pray
Praise to You, oh Lord. Always lead us not into temptation, protect us from harm. Guide us, oh Lord, to walk in Your ways. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
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