Proverbs 5:3, “For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:…”
As we read through the book of Proverbs, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many spiritual lessons which may be gleaned by simply thinking deeper than what we gather at first glance. In our study verse, we are clearly able to see how Solomon is warning his son of the strange woman that would steal his heart and do him wrong all the days of his life. But a deeper meditation will help us gather the lesson of how false teaching will turn the heart of the child of God away from the fellowship they could enjoy with Jesus Christ their Savior.
Solomon warns us of the “lips” and “mouth” of the strange woman, which is directing the reader/hearer to the words that would pour from her lips. How many times have the children of God been turned away from the truth of the Bible by smooth and feel good words? As the old preacher said in times past, “That sure sounds good to my ears, but the Bible teaches me something different.” But how are we to know if the words coming forth from a person’s lips or mouth are true; or just words contrived from a carnal mind? Dear child of grace, the Lord has given us His Word and by His Word all things can be judged (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
If the reader would permit, I would like to share something with you my dad shared with me many years ago. I’ve used this advice many times and feel is fits well with the lesson of our study verse. My dad told me that if a person was pushing something that was not scriptural, they will use historical lessons, Greek and Hebrew words, and even writers in times past much more than verses of the Bible. I have found this to be true.
Several years ago I was confronted by a man who disagreed with my interpretation of a passage of scripture. The brother would not quote scripture but rather pointed me to a preacher in times past. The preacher of the past was a respected man, but one who also made mistakes. I asked the person if they believed everything that preacher said or everything the Bible says? The question ended the discussion, and I still believe the Bible to be true and the final rule by which all things are judged.
Recently I read an announcement from a group who was pushing something that I cannot find in the Bible. The announcement read that these things were once common among Churches. After reading that I thought, well I guess they were so common that I should read about them in the Bible, right? But after another search (I’ve searched many times in my life) I came up with another big old goose egg. Nowhere in the Bible did I find the events to be common. Nowhere in the Bible did I find one time these things were done.
Dear reader, sometimes when people push new ideas, they can make them sound so good to the ears. The ideas may even bring temporary pleasure, but in the end it “is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.” Sounds like sadness and division to me. The best way to keep peace and unity is to seek the way of God and walk in His commandments. 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”