You can’t be more straightforward than what Solomon is saying in this passage about unhealthy relationships and verse 8 is a great summary of Solomon’s warning. “Keep your way far from her. Don’t go near the door of her house.”

No one wakes up and decides to ruin their life or relationships in a day. But day by day we make a little compromise here or flirt a little bit there and before we know it we are drawing nearer to the door of seduction. Solomon doesn’t just say don’t go into her house, he says stay far far away. There are so many ways to inch toward this path that will drain your resources (v.10), consume your body (v.11), and give up your vitality (v.9).

Solomon does give us an alternative and option that helps us to stay far from this door, starting in verse 15. He says to put your energy, your focus into your marriage or, for those who are single … healthy relationships.

I love basketball and sometimes your best defense is a really good offense … to be on the attack. It is true in relationships too, we can’t just sit back and try to fend off the temptations; we have to be intentional in creating healthy friendships and marriages.

Two questions to leave us with today …

1. Is there anything in your life that is inching you closer to the door of seduction? If so do something about it.

2. What is one thing we could do to be more intentional in creating healthy, life-giving relationships?