What does "lest you surrender your honor" mean in a modern context? Proverbs 5 :9 in Context “Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house, lest you surrender your honor to others and your years to the cruel.” What “honor” Mean Then—And Now - Hebrew hod carries the ideas of dignity, splendor, strength, reputation, even life-energy. - Practically, it is the respect you command because your conduct lines up with God’s design. - Today it includes: • Personal integrity and moral credibility • A trustworthy name, both offline and online • Emotional and physical vigor • Influence that points others to Christ How We Surrender Honor Today - Choosing sexual sin—affairs, pornography, hook-ups—hands over dignity to people who care only about temporary pleasure. - Private messages, photos, and texts can be leaked, robbing reputation in minutes. - Financial fallout: divorce costs, child-support, blackmail, lost employment. - Health consequences: STDs, stress, depression. - Spiritual impact: grief of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), weakened witness (Philippians 2:15). - Time lost to regret and damage control—“your years to the cruel.” Living Guardrails Against Loss of Honor - Flee, don’t negotiate: “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). - Guard eyes and mind (Job 31:1; Matthew 5:28–29). - Invest in marriage: “Marriage must be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4). - Invite accountability—trusted believers who will confront early (Proverbs 27:17). - Fill the heart with better desires: “Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). - Remember the greater joy of obedience (Psalm 16:11). Key Takeaways - “Lest you surrender your honor” warns that sexual sin is never private; it drains dignity, reputation, resources, and years. - Honor is preserved by distance from temptation, Spirit-empowered self-control, and delight in God’s design for purity. - Guarding honor today protects not only you but all who look to you as a testimony of Christ’s transforming power. |
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