I feel Proverbs 6:27-35 gives us a little glimpse into the ancient lives of King David, Bathsheba and their son Solomon.

King David and Bathsheba knew first-hand the danger of adultery and how the effects of their choice stayed with them the rest of their lives, hurting them and those who were innocent in the matter. The guilt, pain, and regret never further than a thought way. Like most parents, they wanted better for their son and so warned him of the costly mistakes they had made.

Though Solomon is the author, you can almost hear King David’s voice and see his eyes filling with tears as he leans in closer to share with his son the dangers of adultery. It’s as if he is saying, “Son, don’t play with fire. It’s not worth the excitement. It’s not worth the thrill…you will get burned, and you’ll feel the pain the rest of your life. And the innocent ones…oh son, you won’t be the only one crushed by this sin…it destroys the lives of those who are innocent just as it does the ones committing the sin.”

“Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” – Proverbs 6:27

“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” – Proverbs 6:28

“So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.”- Proverbs 6:29

I wonder if those last words, “no one who touches her will go unpunished” were words that Solomon saw first-hand lived out in his father’s life.

Yes, David repented, and God was gracious to forgive him…but God did not remove the consequences of David and Bathsheba’s sin.

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”- 2 Samuel 12:13-14

I wonder what that was like knowing your sins cost someone else’s life…someone who was innocent in the matter.

And yet, maybe we should. For our sins have done the same thing. Our sins have also caused someone’s death, someone who was innocent in every way, yet chose to die so that we may live.

That’s the horrible truth about sin…it causes death.

Death of a marriage.

Death of a family.

Death of a friendship

The destruction is not worth the fleeting moments of pleasure, and so Solomon passes this wisdom on to the next generations so that they, too, can learn and not make the same mistakes.

“But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.” Proverbs 6:32

The same wisdom Solomon learned from his parents’ lives and shares in Proverbs 6 is true for our lives today.

Adultery destroys.

It’s a fire that no one escapes unharmed.

Is there grace, forgiveness, and mercy for those who have committed adultery? Absolutely! No sin is too great for God! But what we see in our verses today, and have witnessed through King David and Bathsheba’s life, is don’t even be tempted by it. The pain, the destruction, and consequences are not worth the fleeting pleasure.

God has better planned for your life. Don’t be tempted with another person’s spouse.

Friend, if this post finds you being tempted in this area, ask God for help to overcome this temptation. Stop thinking about that person, seeing that person and end the relationship immediately. Go to your spouse and tell the truth, seek help and accountability and don’t let the relationship continue or go any further. The damage, heartbreak, and consequences are not worth it.

 

 

Love God Greatly,

 

 

Angela Perritt

Angela Perritt

Angela Perritt is the founder and director of LoveGodGreatly.com, a nonprofit online Bible study ministry reaching thousands of women in over two hundred countries around the world with God’s Word through their translated Bible studies. She and her husband live in Dallas, Texas with their three daughters. Angela is passionate about God’s Word and believes one woman in God’s Word can change a family, community and ultimately a nation. Her greatest joy is to encourage her children and others to love God greatly with their lives one day at a time. You can connect with her on Instagram.

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