How does Proverbs 23:28 warn against the dangers of immoral relationships? The Word Itself “Surely she lies in wait like a robber and increases the faithless among men.” (Proverbs 23:28) The Picture Solomon Paints • Like a bandit, the immoral woman (or man) is not out in the open; she hides, watching for a moment of vulnerability. • Her intention is clear: to steal—time, purity, peace, covenant loyalty. • The outcome is multiplication of “the faithless,” a growing crowd of people no longer true to God, spouse, or self. Hidden Danger: Like a Robber • Robbers strike unexpectedly. Immorality often starts with small compromises—an unchecked glance, a flirtatious text—then seizes the heart before it realizes what’s happening (James 1:14-15). • A robber takes without consent; sexual sin robs joy, reputation, and often physical health (1 Corinthians 6:18). • Robbers don’t warn victims of their presence. Likewise, temptation dresses itself as pleasure, never advertising the cost (Proverbs 5:3-5). The Cost: “Increases the Faithless” • Faithfulness is covenant loyalty—first to God, then to spouse, family, friends. Immorality shreds that loyalty. • Unfaithfulness spreads: one person’s secret affair models betrayal for others, normalizing it (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Spiritual fallout follows. Intimacy designed for covenant becomes an idol; alienation from God sets in (Isaiah 59:2). Ripple Effects on Community • Marriages fracture, children suffer, friendships divide. Proverbs 6:27 asks, “Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?”—the burn scars everyone nearby. • Trust collapses in churches, workplaces, neighborhoods. The “robber” steals social stability as well. God’s Better Design • Genesis 2:24: one man, one woman, one lifelong covenant—secure, satisfying, fruitful. • Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage should be honored by all… God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: God’s will is holiness, self-control, honoring one another instead of exploiting. Practical Guardrails • Cultivate awe of God’s all-seeing eye (Proverbs 15:3). • Guard the heart early—bounce the eyes, flee questionable settings (Proverbs 4:23; 2 Timothy 2:22). • Invest in the marriage covenant: open communication, shared prayer, regular affection (Proverbs 5:18-19). • Surround yourself with godly friends who tell the truth and hold you accountable (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). • Remember the stakes—souls, families, legacies. No momentary thrill is worth eternal loss. Summing Up Proverbs 23:28 warns that immoral relationships ambush like a thief and leave behind a trail of broken faithfulness. Embracing God’s design for purity and covenant love is the only path that protects hearts, honors Christ, and blesses generations to come. |
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