Wise Living - The Path of Folly and Death (Proverbs Ch 5)

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and welcome to this deep dive into the profound wisdom offered by the book of Proverbs, as faithfully expounded by Pastor Sam Merigala in his sermon series, "Wise Living."

We are called, to walk a path of wisdom, yet the temptations of this world constantly pull us toward ruin. Pastor Merigala’s teaching on Proverbs Chapters 5 and 6 delivers stern warnings coupled with glorious gospel hope, emphasizing why we must cling to God’s laws of purity and diligence. 

The Threefold Danger of Sexual Sin

Pastor Sam Merigala notes that the timeless truth of the seventh commandment, as the Lord God thundered from Sinai: "You shall not commit adultery" (Ex. 20:14), He declared that sexual intimacy outside the bonds of marriage is intrinsically wrong, even if it occurs "between consenting adults." Why does God forbid sexual sin? Pastor Merigala organizes the warnings against sexual sin into three categories based on the structure of Proverbs: it is eventually disappointing (ch. 5), gradually destructive (ch. 6), and ultimately deadly (ch. 7). 

Proverbs 5 is structured as a necessary and loving conversation from God our Father: an introduction where He says, “It’s time we had a talk” (vv. 1–6); a body offering down-to-earth instruction, “Here is what I want you to know” (vv. 7–19); and a conclusion demanding, “Now you have a decision to make” (vv. 20–23). The stakes in this wisdom are nothing less than life versus death, with everything you care about on the line.

I. The Experience Goes from Sweetness to Bitterness (Proverbs 5:1–6)

The initial lure of sexual sin is often deceptive, promising great delight - what J. Allan Petersen calls "the myth of the greener grass". Pastor Merigala offers a critical analogy: sexual intimacy is like fire. When kept in the fireplace, it is warm and beneficial; but outside the fireplace, it burns the house down. The initial sinful alliance may feel exciting and sweet - the words and kisses of the "strange woman" drip like honey (7:13–20) - but this sweetness inevitably turns to bitterness, and the honey becomes poison in the end (5:4). We are reminded that sexual integrity is a life-or-death decision, placing everything we cherish on the line. You cannot violate God's gift of sexuality without suffering damaging repercussions.

II. The Experience Goes from Gain to Loss (Proverbs 5:7–14)

Temptation often seduces us with hopeful promises that, for a brief season, seem to be fulfilled, allowing sinners to "bask in the sunshine of pleasant experiences and false assurances". However, disobedience to God’s law invariably brings sad, damaging consequences, requiring sinners to pay dearly for their momentary pleasures. Sexual folly is highly complex, depleting the sinner financially (through cover-ups and lawsuits), socially (reputation), emotionally (conscience), and martially. The sinner gives his "honor to others and your years to the merciless". 

The sexually foolish man, Pastor Merigala explains, eventually faces crippling regret (vv. 12–14). He looks back wishing he had heeded his teachers and spiritual instructors, confessing, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!" and realizes he is "at the brink of utter ruin". While God’s grace offers forgiveness if the sinner repents, Pastor Merigala cautions us that "God in His government sees to it that he reaps what he sows".

Yet, there is profound hope. Pastor Merigala likens the moment of self-realization to the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–24), who, though fallen into deep wretchedness, remembered his Father and his home. If you, beloved, are feeling a long way off, know that your Father, because of the cross, is ready to embrace you in your mess and rags, without shame. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17), and they are washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Corinthians 6:11; Revelation 21:5).

III. The Experience Goes from Purity to Pollution (Proverbs 5:15–20)

The sermon shifts to the blessing of God’s design (vv. 15–20), comparing married love to drinking pure, flowing water from one's own well, while sexual sin is drinking polluted water from the gutter or sewer. Sex within marriage is a beautiful river that brings life and refreshment, but outside of marriage, it is a defiling sewer. Sexual sin is a profound waste, like pouring that beautiful river into the public streets.

The commitment of marriage acts as the riverbanks, confining the waters and producing depth and power, something shallow extramarital affairs can never provide. Pastor Merigala emphasizes the growing satisfaction, love, and purity found when a man and woman are pledged to each other.

The husband is admonished to be "ravished" or "intoxicated" with his wife's love (5:19–20). The faithful husband witnesses the water turning into wine, perhaps signifying the "growing delights of marriage," just as Jesus changed water into wine at the wedding feast (John 2:1–11). This vision calls for sexual wisdom and joy between husband and wife, cherishing her always as "the wife of your youth".

The instruction in Proverbs 5:19 is pointed, emphasizing both the quality ("fill... with delight" and "be intoxicated") and the quantity ("at all times" and "always") of lovemaking. It is a command of God to married couples to "drop your inhibitions, and go for it". Referencing 1 Corinthians 7:4-5, the husband and wife mutually possess authority over each other’s bodies and are commanded not to deprive one another, but rather to make intimacy "fun and frequent," being "crazy in love together". This underscores the high value the Bible places on passionate, romantic love, calling the marriage relationship the husband’s own personal "Garden of Eden".

IV. The Experience Goes from Freedom to Bondage (Proverbs 5:21–23)

The ultimate reason for sexual wisdom is spiritual. A man’s ways are entirely before the Lord’s eyes, and He ponders all his paths (Prov. 5:21). Though God gives us freedom of choice, abusing that freedom through deliberate disobedience ensures that freedom will gradually become bondage. "The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast" (5:22 NIV). Sin offers the lie of freedom but delivers only slavery; whoever commits sin is a slave of sin (John 8:34 NKJV). These invisible chains of habit are forged until the sinner discovers, to his horror, that he lacks the strength to break them.

We are all sexual sinners at some level, knowing the shame and regret of this slavery. But praise God! The only One who can set us free is Jesus Christ. We are urged by Pastor Merigala to run to Christ, the mighty Friend of sexual fools, who alone can grant liberation, for "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36 NKJV). Martin Luther eloquently teaches us that through faith, the soul is united with Christ as a bridegroom to his bride, taking away her evil and bestowing all His goodness upon her. The soul's sin belongs to Christ, and Christ’s holiness belongs to the soul - a "happy business" indeed. Come to Christ today to be forgiven and to receive sexual wisdom as a gift of His grace.

In our next blog we will look into Proverbs Chapter 6 which addresses three key enemies that can destroy a person financially, physically, morally, or spiritually. They are: unwise financial commitments (vv. 1–5), laziness (vv. 6–11), and lust (vv. 20–35). Pastor Merigala calls us to new steps of faith and repentance into responsibility, opportunity, and unity.