The Road of Deliverance (which is a Temporal Salvation in the daily life of the obedient Believer in Christ) is two-fold:
Part A. Deliverance from the Way of the Evil Man (Proverbs 2:12-15)
(See previous devotion)
Part B. Deliverance from the Strange Woman (Proverbs 2:16-19)
“To deliver thee from the strange woman…” (Proverbs 2:16a)
Who is “the strange woman”?
The answer lies in Proverbs 2:16b-19. This woman is “strange” because:
1) She is unfamiliar to you.
2) She is not what you are son, in attitude, in actions, and in attire.
3) She is not in agreement spiritually with you.
4) She walks in the path of unrighteousness, the path of sin and darkness.
5) She is strange because her end is death; and your end is life and it more abundant.
6) She is strange because she is hypocritical in her speech. She is a liar and follows her father, the devil.
The strange woman’s deception is stronger than the evil man’s rebellious speech and his crooked ways. The reason being, the evil man never tries to hide his contrary and rebellious speech and ways – whereas the strange woman is a great deceiver and hypocrite.
Note her characteristics:
1) “Even from the stranger which flattereth with her words” (Proverbs 2:16b)
Remember, words are stronger than the sword; especially words of flattery.
Flattery as a verb means to “to praise too much or without sincerity.” Flattery as a noun is “flattering speech or attentions; insincere or excessive praise.” Synonyms would be adulation, overpraise, endearments, compliments, etc.
Therefore the strange woman’s words are words of flattery, or over and excessive praises or lies. This type of speech is very intensive, very alluring to the flesh; for flattery speaks to one’s pride.
This is what the devil used on the first woman, Eve (Genesis 3:1-4). It is the natural trait of man to want to be bragged on; to be shown the path to the “pie in the sky”; to hear that some sin is okay.
Solomon used a woman, because of her pull on a man, to describe flattery that leads to destruction. Proverbs 5:3 say, “For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil.”
But then read the next verse, Proverbs 5:4 says, “But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.” (Read Proverbs 5:5-11.)
2) “Which forsaketh the guide of her youth” (Proverbs 2:17a)
The strange woman is so deceptive because she was raised in the ways of wisdom, “the guide of her youth.” She followed the path of righteousness in her youth; but now she has “forsaketh the guide of her youth.” She knows the spiritual words to say; but knows not the spiritual import of her words. She says one thing, but does another, as she follows her flesh and leads you to do the same.
When you are approached by a strange woman, always lay the plumb line (which is the Word of God) to her speech, her actions, and her attire.
3) “And forgetteth the covenant of her God” (Proverbs 2:17b)
Here Solomon uses Judah as his example. (Read Malachi 2:11-17.) When Solomon said this strange woman “forgetteth the covenant of her God,” he was referring to her spiritual whoredom; her turn from the True and Living God, to the god of this evil world. This shows in her attitude, actions, and attire every time.
The strange woman is in a very sad, sorry, despicable state; for now she has turned on God. The problem is she wants you, son, to do the same. She has reneged on her confession and her vows made to God. This is a very grave error for her. Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-6; especially verses 4-6:
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4)
“Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5)
“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:6)
4) “For her house inclineth unto death” (Proverbs 2:18a)
Solomon said: Son, her house (or her life) is soon to be destroyed. (See Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers; see Balaam; see Achan; etc.)
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (1 John 5:16)
Solomon is speaking of a physical death. “There is a sin unto death”; and his son needed to know not to follow the flattery of the strange woman, or any stranger that uses words of flattery or lies; “For her house (her ways) inclineth unto (are heading towards) death.”
5) “And her paths unto the dead” (Proverbs 2:18b)
Solomon said: Son, her paths (or her walk) is like the dead, like that of the sinners.
6) “None that go unto her return again,” (Proverbs 2:19a)
Solomon sums up his above statement. There is a line you can cross with God – then there is no return.
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” (Matthew 12:31)
“And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” (Matthew 12:32)
“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29)
“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30)
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (1 John 5:16)
“None” is a final word; a word of finality. “None” means none. Therefore if you link up with the strange woman and go her way – there is no return.
7) “Neither take they hold of the paths of life” (Proverbs 2:19b)
Solomon is speaking of physical life. He is training and instructing his son how to have victory over sin in this life, and to live an abundant life in God. See Deuteronomy, as Moses instructed God’s People before they went over into the Promise Land Canaan; Deuteronomy 30:14-19. Also see Joshua 24:15, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” – either life and blessing, or death and cursing. The key word is “serve.” Not speaking of the life to come; but this life now, on this earth, as a Child of God.
The Child of God in the 21st Century needs to wake up and read Solomon’s Instructions of Wisdom to his son, and the Results of the same.
There is no doubt that Romans 8:29-39 decribes the Believer’s Eternal Security in Christ; for Salvation is of the Lord, and by and through Him alone. (See Ephesians 2:8-9; Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20; John 6:37, 44, 45.)
However, the saved man has a responsibility to keep the Commandments of God:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
Hebrews has seven grave warnings to God’s People who start the race, and quit and turn back.
You, as a believer, cannot follow the ways of the evil man, or follow the words of flattery of the strange woman, and then expect to prosper in this life as a Child of God. Read Joshua 1:1-9; especially verses 8-9:
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)
To be successful as a Christian, you must follow Joshua’s Inspired Blueprint and also Solomon’s Words of Wisdom.
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