YOU CAN REMAIN MORALLY CLEAN

Steps That Lead to Immorality

Often, there are identifiable  steps that lead to immorality.  Each step taken makes it increasingly difficult to turn back.  Notice how this is described at Proverbs 7:6-23.  Solomon observes "a young man in want of heart," or lacking good motive.  The young man is "passing along on the street near her [a prostitute's ] corner, and in the way to her house he marches, in the twilight, in the evening of the day."  There is his first mistake.  In the twilight hours, his "heart"  has directed him, not to just any street, but to one where he knows a prostitute can usually be found.

Next we read:  "Look! there was a woman to meet him, with the garment of a prostitute and cunning of heart."  Now he sees her! He could turn around and go home, but this is more difficult than before, especially since he is morally weak.  She grabs hold of him and gives him a kill.   Having accepted a kiss, he now listens to her seductive persuasion:  "Communion sacrifices are incumbent upon me," She says.  "Today I have paid my vows."  Communion sacrifices included meat, flour, oil and wine.  (Leviticus  19:5, 6; 22:21; Numbers 15:8-10)   By mentioning them, she may have been hinting that she did not lack spirituality and, at the same time, may have been letting him know that there were plenty of good things to eat and drink at her house.  "Do come," she implores him, "  let  us drink our fill of love until the morning:  do let us enjoy each other with love expressions."

The outcome is not hard to predict.  "By the smoothness of her lips she seduces him.{"  He follows her home "like a bull that comes even to the slaughter" and "just as a bird hastens into the trap."  Solomon concludes with the sobering words:  "He has not known that it involves his very soul."  His soul, or life, is involved because "God will judge fornicators and adulterers."  (Hebrews 13:4)  What a powerful lesson for both men and women!We should avoid taking even the initial steps along a path that will  lead to God's disfavor.

Note that the young man in the  account was "in want of heart."  This expression tells  us that his thoughts,desires, affections, emotions and goals in life were not in harmony with what God approves.  His moral weakness led to tragic consequences.  In these critical "last days," it takes effort to build moral strength.  ( 2 Timothy 3:1)  God makes provision to help us.  He provides meetings of the Christian congregation to encourage us along the right path and to bring us into contact with others who have the same goal that we do.  (Hebrews 10:24, 25)  There are congregation elders who shepherd us and teach us the ways of righteousness.  (Ephesians 4:11, 12)  We have God's Word, the Bible, to direct and guide  us.  ( 2 Timothy 3:16) And at all times, we have the opportunity to pray for God's spirit to help us. -Matthew 26:41.

Next time: Learning From the Sins of David

Watchtower, 2000