Seduced by the Strange Woman

Prov 7 tells us we need to keep the Word of God in our heart and remain mindful of what the Word says at all times. The Lord said He would send us the Holy Ghost Who would remind us of all things He had said. He brings that Word to our remembrance, but we have to fill up on it, we have to feed our spirits with it. Solomon was the writer of most of the Proverbs, and he goes on to instruct, that we are to keep the commandments of God and live, to keep them as something very special to us, the apple of our eye. That word 'keep' means to hedge about, as with thorns, to guard, protect, to take heed to, to preserve from loss or injury and to observe-as in adhere to or obey. (H8104 in Strong's).
One thing I have learned as I have studied and read the Word is that it will not let you enjoy the pleasures of the world that would be like cold air on the fire of God in your soul. Those things that are hindering influences, it will not let you partake of in peace. When we yield our hearts and lives to the Word, we live. We partake of something that is eternal. It is life to our spirit. He tells us to bind the commandments to us. Let the Word guide what our hands do, hide It in our heart so It will guide our steps. We understand the Word of God is the wisdom of God written down for our benefit and is necessary for our survival as children of God. He wants us to know Him, to understand the wisdom He's made available. James 1:5 says if any man lacks wisdom let him ask of the Lord, and He will give generously to that man so long as he asks in faith and doesn't doubt.

Pro 7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Pro 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

For everything the Lord has the devil has a counterfeit look-a-like. When the Bible speaks of the virtuous woman in Prov 31, we are given a physical illustration of the Bride of Christ. This Bride of Christ shines with the glory of the Lord and the lost and hurting are attracted to her because she is gentle and kind and filled with the love and Spirit of God. She draws with compassion and love because she feeds on these things-her Bridegroom is love, He is kind and compassionate, and glorious. But there is another woman-the strange woman. She has turned aside from truth, she's profane, adulterous, and very seductive. She is animated by Satan himself, and she goes about seeking to allure and turn aside anyone she can.
When the enemy of our soul comes, he doesn't always come like a roaring lion. Actually, he rarely comes at us that way. He's found it's more effective to be subtle, to use the appearance of light, and smooth words of flattery. An unsatisfied soul, a soul that is empty, frustrated, dry, or discontent is an easy mark. These are things that can be exploited and with the right kind of provocation, used against you. For example, God rained manna down on Israel in the wilderness. It was light, nutritious, and provided everything they needed to keep them moving, and alert. But when they grew discontent, not appreciating the Lord was feeding them what He knew they needed, they cried for flesh. The Bible says they were eating angels' food-heavenly food.

Psa 105:40 The people asked, and he brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
Psa 105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

But they grew discontent with it. They wanted something of flesh. They murmured and complained, so the Lord let them have what they asked for. It wasn't as healthy for them, because we know the Bible says when we mind the flesh above the spirit we will die. If you look at that in the carnal, if you eat a lot of meat, and few vegetables, you will clog your arteries, especially with beef, and pork, and you will end up having a stroke or heart attack much sooner than if you took care to eat a balanced diet and exercise to keep the blood moving, and make it hard for that plaque to settle in your arteries. What they wanted was something that would weigh them down and hinder their progress. Have you ever wondered after eating a large meal, especially at the holidays, when you indulge in treats, and sweets, as well as lots of rich food, you get very sleepy and tired? You can't be sober, alert and vigilant, remembering your enemy walketh about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour if you are going about feeding on things of the flesh, whatever that may be, and I'm not just talking food here. You can over indulge in food, and it will slow you down, pack on the pounds, and it's a sorry source of comfort because it's so temporary and only vaguely satisfying, at best. When you indulge in anything that feeds the flesh-food, or carnal things of this world, it has a detrimental effect on the spiritual life inside of you. Remember, there is a warfare going on inside the born again believer. Flesh wars against spirit and the one who gets fed the most will win.

Pro 7:6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
Pro 7:7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
Pro 7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
Pro 7:9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

Imagine Solomon staring through the lattice work on his windows watching the comings and goings of the people, and he sees a young man, approached by this strange woman, late in the evening, as the young man was passing nearby. It's important to note the young man was walking in places he should not have gone. He was near where she was, and in the falling darkness, she meets him. When he's going in the wrong direction, he's walking in darkness because he's drifted away from the light, and he doesn't understand wisdom. He's a youth, who probably thinks he knows more than he actually does. He sees the temptation, and it looks very appealing to the eye.
This strange woman is dressed like a harlot, appealing to the lust of the flesh, the sight of the eyes, and the pride of life is provoked here. She is on display as something that will incite these things in man. She is secretive, hidden in the darkness, watching and on guard to catch the unwary. She's loud, abrasive, she's rebellious, resistant to authority of any kind, she will not stay where she belongs. She is outside the life and light of God, and she is like a huntress waiting for her prey-somebody she can use, and infect with her darkness.

Pro 7:13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

I have to stop on the word 'caught' for a moment. In the Hebrew, this word means to fasten on to, to strengthen, bind, fortify, make hard, prevail, and take hold. It's a word that implies force and strength, resolve or determination. Remember what I said earlier about the dangers of being discontent, dissatisfied or frustrated, and empty? Dry? When this seductive spirit gets a hold of this young man, it automatically strengthens and fortifies that thing in him that makes him susceptible to her wiles in the first place. This strange woman plays on his hunger for satisfaction, knowing she cannot meet that need. She wants to convince him she can. If you can see it, this is another page right out of the devil's play book, when he tries to tempt and distract those who are unstable, weak or new in their faith.

Pro 7:14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.
Pro 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
Pro 7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
Pro 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

She comes talking religious here. When she says she has peace offerings, that refers to the sacrifice and offering required of the people to God. A peace offering. Come on, you will find what you need here. It's a false claim to possession of something foreign to her. Peace with God. Everything will be alright, it's safe to trust in me. We can get along just fine. And then she starts whispering about all the material things she has-she indicates where she lives there is peace and prosperity and it's a sweet smell..a sweet song of lies to this boy's ears. She convinces him there will be no consequences to face. She urges him to satisfy that need he has with her, to satisfy that urge of his flesh, his lust, with what looks and sounds good. She gives herself away, as she continues talking, but this young man misses it.

Pro 7:19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
Pro 7:20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

As the Body of Christ we are warned by the Lord to watch, to be on guard because we don't know when the Lord is coming back for us, but He's only coming back for those who are watching, waiting and ready to leave. Remember He will not force Himself on anyone-He won't take anyone not wanting and ready to go. Those who are caught up in their own lives, their own pleasures and pursuits which have nothing to do with Him, He's not coming after. He warned to be careful not to be overcharged or caught up in the cares or worries and pressures of this life and be caught unaware. We are often guilty, but wrong to continually try to carry weights and problems, when He said cast them on Him, because He cares, and come, learn of Him, and let Him have our burdens. We are told to lay aside every weight. Be on guard. Be awake. Redeem the time. Make good use of it. Be working, with one eye to the plow in the field of God, seeking the lost for the Master, and the other eye on the clouds...for He is coming. Soon.
But then, this strange woman, this seductive spirit, gives herself away. She speaks of the goodman. Church, who is the goodman as mentioned here? In Matthew 24:43, we are told the goodman is the one in charge of the house. He is the steward, the husbandman. We were told by the Lord to occupy until He comes. Occupy-not let the devil run rough shod over us and take whatever he wants.

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mar 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

The Lord says watch. Be prepared. But what does the strange woman say? Oh, He's gone on a long journey, He won't be back for a long time. Some day He will return, but not now. There is plenty of time. She is persuasive. She flatters, exploits unmet needs, frustrations and discontent in this young man. Her powers of persuasion are strong, and he yields. She literally seduces him into bondage that will destroy him. A good example is when someone is trying to persuade your kids to try drugs out. They will tell our kids, oh, it will make you feel good, it'll numb your pain, give you strength, it won't hurt you. But there is a payday and it will do much damage. It will destroy.
There is a strange woman- a spirit of the world out there that seeks to draw in any it can. Remember, those who are lost are already caught. They are not the target. The target is the child of God who is new in their faith and unaware of the danger, like an innocent child, bursting with a new life the devil wants to stomp out. Those who are weak in their faith and struggling, because they have been battling hard, and are weary, and have gotten a little slack on their prayer life and study time in the Word, making themselves vulnerable.

Pro 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Pro 7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Pro 7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Pro 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

If you are battling a sense of discontentment, frustrated by events in your life that aren't going like you want them to, or tired of the struggle, and you keep hearing thoughts in your head pointing you down or back, you need to cry out to God. He is right there. Even a new born baby in Christ can put the devil on the run through faith in the power of the name of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says in Prov 18:10 "THE NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER; THE RIGHTEOUS RUNNETH INTO IT AND ARE SAFE."

If you have started out strong with the Lord and grown tired of the constant harassment of the enemy, and have begun to neglect things of the Lord, time with the Lord, and that is where we find our strength, take heed. Don't turn to the beggardly elements of this world-whether it be food, television, or trivial pursuits to satisfy the longing of your soul. Don't turn to flesh, or self help books to try to make yourself feel better. Don't return to old habits, or seek relief in mind numbing influences. Don't seek comfort in the arms of the strange woman-whatever that may represent in your life. Don't turn on the television and watch some peace and prosperity so-called preacher tell you how to feel better and get rich. There is only ONE true cure.

Psa 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Run to His presence. He promised anyone who comes to Him He would not cast out or reject. He knows the pain and frustration and need you feel. He alone can meet that need. He's coming back and He wants you to be ready to meet Him. He is able to keep you from falling and to present you to Himself spotless, before the presence of His glory. Listen carefully. In the chaos of your mind and your heart, can you hear the still small voice saying "Come." He is calling whosoever will come. He is the cure to our pain and loneliness and hurts. He is the Balm of Gilead, He is the Strength of the weak, the Hope of the hopeless, the Power of the fearful, the Defender of the helpless, the Refuge for the tired and weary. Whatever you need, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost of God, and the Father, who is Lord of all can say, honestly I AM all you need.

Go to Him. He will not criticize or condemn. He will open His arms wide, comfort and console you and strengthen you. He will not leave you or forsake you, He loves you. Don't listen to the voice of the devil saying it will be better if you go back. He will kill you if you listen to him. When Israel was in the wilderness-on the very verge of going into the promised land, the devil used fear and weariness of the way to keep them out. They wanted to go back to Egypt. If God had allowed them to return, they would have found vengeful, angry and hate-filled Egyptians waiting to slaughter them. That tempter is whispering, trying to seduce people so he can destroy them. Take heed, if you are battling against discontentment, discouragement, frustration-as a child of God, you CAN in the name of JESUS CHRIST REJECT THIS. Resist it in HIS NAME and it has to first bow to HIS LORDSHIP and then leave.

2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.