This week in Proverbs 5, the father turns to a topic we might otherwise avoid on a Sunday morning, and he will spend the better part of the next three chapters on the subject.
“One of the benefits of preaching through a section of the Bible is that the Bible itself raises topics we might otherwise avoid, like sex. The Bible is not shy about sex, and its message is clear: sexual folly destroys, sexual wisdom satisfies, and Christ is better than the best sex.” (Ray Ortlund, Proverbs: Why Wisdom Works)
The apostle Paul couldn’t have been more direct.
“Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
But that’s not the whole message of the Bible when it comes to sex. Our culture likes to paint Christians as anti-sex prudes, but that is far from the Bible’s view. Proverbs 5 tells us more than just what to flee from but where to flee to.
“Sex is like fire. In the fireplace it keeps us warm. Outside the fireplace it burns the house down. Proverbs 5 is saying, ‘Keep the fire in the marital fireplace, and stoke that fire as hot as you can.’” (Ray Ortlund, Proverbs: Why Wisdom Works)
This Sunday Rob Lister will be preaching Proverbs 5 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And let’s ask the Lord to further shape our thinking on this sensitive subject. Our culture certainly isn’t silent about sex, so neither should we. Why would we not listen to the God who created us male and female and gave us the gift of sex to understand how it is to be enjoyed?
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
Song Link of the Week
The Goodness of Jesus by CityAlight
We will be introducing this song on Sunday. You can get familiar with it this week as you prepare for our gathered worship.