Impulse
Proverbs 6:24-35
They keep you from an evil woman,
from a loose woman’s seductive tongue.
25 Don’t let your heart lust after her beauty
or allow her glance to captivate you.
26 The price of a whore is a loaf of bread,
but the adulteress is hunting for a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire inside his shirt
without burning his clothes?
28 Can a man walk [barefoot] on hot coals
without scorching his feet?
29 So is he who has sex with his neighbor’s wife;
anyone touching her will be punished.
30 A thief is not despised if he steals
only to satisfy his appetite when hungry;
31 but even he, if caught, must pay back sevenfold;
he may have to give up all the wealth that he owns.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense;
he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get nothing but blows and contempt,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy drives a man into a rage;
he will show no mercy when he takes revenge;
35 he will not accept compensation;
he’ll refuse every bribe, no matter how large.
This is the rest of chapter six. It is a long portion, but it was all grouped together in the Complete Jewish Bible. Most of it seems straightforward and direct. And, it has to do with adultery, which I have a feeling most of you would say you do not have an issue with. So, let's change it to thinking about wanting an object, or piece of equipment, that someone else has. Instead of adultery, let's put it into coveting.
How often do we get caught up thinking that something, is better than what we currently have? Maybe the object is an upgrade from our current piece of equipment of clothing. It is not bad to want something better. In fact, sometimes it could be a good thing that we get a better piece. Maybe a new washer will save us electricity. Maybe a new car will save us in repairs that we are constantly making on the old one sitting in the driveway.
BUT, when the desires of wanting something new or better are done with a mindset, "I deserve this, I'm just as good as they are," and money is spent frivolously without control, there is an issue. When we allow desires to overcome us and we just live free without thought of consequences, that is when it is wrong. We recognize this fact with those who "live freely" with sexual desires, but we stop and hold back when it comes to buying things. A mindset of "I deserve" is not from Adonai.
In another train of thought, sometimes I believe we don't allow ourselves an "upgrade" because we hold to what we believe to be "truth" that we shouldn't have something too fancy. Sometimes we sit and judge others for the fancy things they have, all the time wanting them ourselves. This is also wrong. We must be honest with our thoughts and emotions. Evaluate what is TRUTH in a matter and deal with what we feel within. If it is something that Adonai wants to bless us with, than we accept it. If we really believe God doesn't want us to have it, than we leave it at His feet.
Friends, it is balance. We don't covet. We don't commit adultery (even in our minds). It is clear from the Words above that those emotions and feelings bring pain and heartache. Stop and bring honor to HIS name with your actions. Don't follow something on a whim. Don't become impulsive.
Love and blessings,
Rose
Women Empowerment based on Torah and the Bible
