Proverbs 6:26-30
 
Prov 6:26 (KJB)
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
 
The man who engages in adultery will eventually be brought down to that of a beggar of a piece of bread. What the unsuspecting man does not realize, the whorish woman is out for herself and she is not engaging in this illicit relationship for the benefit of the man. The second phrase in the verse shows us that the adulteress will hunt for the best possible man she can find, especially one that is a man of means. If he has wealth, then she will focus in on that and she will not only go for gifts but after a while, she will begin to make other demands on him which could bring him before the court and cause him to divest his life’s earnings and dole it out to her. This warning is a not only pointed at the fleshly impact of adultery but shows us a principle of spiritual adultery too. Those in false gospels will hunt down those who are people of spiritual means and when they get them in their grasp, will begin to chip away at the biblical knowledge that they possess and will attempt to supplant the truth with a very smooth false gospel message. How many have been snared away from the strong biblical message of salvation to the political or environmental gospel, of which neither can save a soul?
 
Prov 6:27 (KJB)
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
 
Here Solomon gives a practical lesson to his children and us. Would it be possible to light a torch and place it on the chest of a person and their clothes not be burned? In fact, not only would their clothes get burned, their body would also get burned. The message is clear, do some think that they can play with sexual fire and not become burned by it? More ministers have been defrocked because of illicit relationships with women, whether it is their secretary or a church member. It leads to such dire consequences that it is equivalent to being burned with fire. Many a good ministry has come to the end because the leader has an adulterous affair.
 
Prov 6:28 (KJB)
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
 
Here is another practical illustration. Do we think that we can remove our shoes and walk barefoot on red hot coals and our feet will not be burned? Only a fool would believe that they can get into an adulterous relationship and that there would be no consequences. Do you notice that the two illustrations that Solomon gives are both focused on fire and the destructive nature of it. He speaks about both the feet and bosom, which symbolically means that there is nothing that the evils of an adulterous relationship will not affect. It will cause consternation in all parts of a person’s life.
 
Prov 6:29 (KJB)
So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
 
Innocent - Free or exempt
 
No man who willfully has an adulterous relationship with a woman will ever be innocent. It is interesting that the word for “innocent” in the Hebrew carries with it the meanings of free or exempt. First of all, the man who partakes in adultery will never have a free conscience, that is, it will always be ensnared by that relationship. He will always be looking over his shoulders wondering if the husband or his wife is trailing him. It leads to much anxiety and with each adulterous session, the anxiety becomes worse and starts affecting his daily life and routine. Second of all, he is not exempt, that is, he will face punishment if he gets caught. There will be all kinds of self punishment such as extreme guilt and it will pile on continuously as the adultery progresses. The reality is that neither party in an adulterous relationship is innocent and both will face the harsh judgment of God. (Heb 13:4 KJV) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
 
Prov 6:30 (KJB)
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
 
This verse is not condoning thievery but what it is saying is that if a person steals because they or their family are hungry, it is still stealing, but it is understandable as to why this person stole. In contrast to this, when an adulterous relationship is exposed, both parties will be despised simply because they went into that sin wilfully and without concern for the parties they will hurt. This is why divorce cases get very dirty because there is no initial regard for those who are being cheated on, and when it comes to light, there will be much hurt. The thief, in this case, is stealing to prevent himself from dying of hunger but the adulterers are not engaging in this sin out of a life or death situation, they are trying to meet the needs of their base lusts.

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