Overcoming Temptation (Part 3)

Temptation will “Flaunt Prettiness.”

There is a fact which we all must face. Temptation is not temptation unless it tempts us to do something we would enjoy. While speaking of Moses Paul wrote: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” (Hebrews 11:25). Temptation leads to sin, which is an act many find enjoyment in committing (2 Thess. 2:12). The sin which Eve committed in the garden was committed because of this fact. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6). Temptation will use things which are pleasant to our senses.

Verse 10 speaks of the woman as being dressed like a harlot. While we do not know how she was dressed, there are some logical statements we can make. She would have been dressed in a way that would have accentuated her finer points. She may have had her face painted or had a veil covering her face as did Tamar when she played the harlot (Genesis 38:14).  We are not told how much or how little she was wearing at the time but we do know this. She was dressed like a harlot in order to be pleasing to the eyes. Had she not been beautiful to the young man flattery would not have gotten her anywhere. Her looks attacked the sense of sight. Her words attacked the sense of hearing.

She speaks to the young man by saying: “I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.” (Proverbs 7:16-18). She speaks of those things which would accentuate her home. Her bed would be filled with bright, colorful tapestries and her bedposts, probably made of cedar, would have beautiful carvings. Again, this would attack the senses. Linen from Egypt was said to be some of the softest in any land. This would hone in on the sense of touch. Her room would be very comfortable and a beauty to behold. She also takes the time to attack the young man’s sense of smell. Myrrh was a gum-resin drop of varying colors and sizes. It was well known for its strong but pleasant odor. Most know of the pleasing smells given off by cinnamon and aloe. In a way the sense of taste is attacked in the phrase, “let us take our fill of love until the morning.” When you take your fill of something, it enters in through the mouth. She tempts this young man by attacking his senses.

Temptation will use that which is pleasing or pretty. It may be the way something tastes or possibly the odor that it gives. Some enjoy a certain act because of the overall feel it gives the body. There is one important thing which those who do these things must remember. These actions will only be committed for a “season” or short period of time. The punishment that goes with these actions will last an eternity.

Temptation Gives the Idea of Wanting Privacy

“For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.” (Proverbs 7:19-20). The “goodman” is her husband and he is not going to be home any time soon. Why? He’s gone on a long journey and she knows how long he will be gone. He’s taken a certain amount of money with him and she knows his habits. She knows how he spends his money. She knows how long he will be gone and he shall not come home a moment sooner. The young man and this harlot will be able to commit the act of adultery in privacy. Adultery has always been a serious offense in the eyes of God. While living in the days of the Patriarchs, Job called it a “heinous crime” (Job 31:1-11). The penalty in the days of Moses was that of death by stoning. Jesus said that it was the reason a person could get a legal divorce in the eyes of God (Matthew 19:9). It is a crime which God forbids and the young man was tempted to do it when the Harlot told him, “We will not get caught.”

What makes it easier to commit certain sins? The idea of privacy makes it so easy. People look to the left, right, down, around the corner, over the shoulder, and in every direction in hopes of not being caught. Is there a security camera watching if I take this product from a store? Would anyone see my actions? Is there anyone around? Often, man does not want to be seen committing these actions but each must ask an important question. “Am I really committing these acts in private?” “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3). Even God said, “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24). This was concerning the prophets who prophesied lies in God’s name and said, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed” but only spoke the vision of his own heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16, 25). God asked the rhetorical question, “Am I a God who only sees those things which are near Me or am I a God that sees all? Can anything hide from me?” The Psalmist gives us an appropriate, “No” (Psalm 139). We may think that these things are private but they are not at all.

Here's another thought to add. The events spoken by Solomon occurred "In the twilight, in the evening,
in the black and dark night" (Prov. 7:9). The two thought the events would go unnoticed at night. Solomon noticed it all from his window (v.  6). Our friends, neighbors, even our children may see things we do not want them to see. Those actions we think are in "private."