Doomed Detours

Read Proverbs 2

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. . . . The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.

Proverbs 2:16, 19

There’s no time for side trips when we’re on the road of obedience to God. On this road, each step aligns with God’s commands and respects his wishes. Proverbs 2:16 and 19 warn us about straying off the road, even if we try to justify it as a brief “detour.” Many tangents turn out to be dead ends, especially if they lead to the kinds of women mentioned in these verses. Straying from obedience to meet with either one is unfortunate. The promiscuous woman represents the temptation to sin. The immoral woman symbolizes sexual corruption and the lies that lead up to her door. Both kinds of women are dangerous because their deceit lures us from our commitment to follow God’s commands.

Maybe a mere visit doesn’t seem like a big deal. Once we are in their company, however, returning to the right track is a struggle. The last two sentences (verse 19) do not leave room for second chances. Once you shut the doors behind you, the path you’ve followed is lost. But there is grace to keep us on the right track. Meditating on Scripture will save us from any traps along the way. This is the wisdom the book of Proverbs encourages.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Sometimes wisdom resorts to blinders and earplugs.

Please remind me throughout this day, Lord, to seek your wisdom instead of sin.