Proverbs 7:23

Casual sex will kill you! How many warnings by God and King Solomon will you ignore? Adultery, fornication, sodomy, whoremongering, and casual sex are deadly sins.

It does not matter that they appear innocent, that this wicked generation glamorizes them, or that they give short-term pleasure. They are capital offences that bring death. Reject the deceitful lies of this degenerate world that proposes casual sex as a great pleasure. It proves it is ignorant of real love or sexual pleasure by defending same-sex perversion.

Darts through the liver were fatal. Before the perfection of archery and the advent of shotguns and rifles, darts were thrown or thrust as a means of killing wild game or enemies in battle (II Sam 18:14; II Chron 32:5; Job 41:26,29; Eph 6:16; Heb 12:20). The liver, being a very essential internal organ, is synecdoche for vital parts of the body. A well-placed dart piercing the liver or other vital organ of the body would produce death.

Also during this time, birds were captured by snares and then killed (Ps 124:7; Eccl 9:12). Birds do not fly slowly, so the image created by the simile is powerful. A bird, unaware of the snare and its ultimate purpose, swoops in unsuspectingly and is captured easily and killed. It had no idea that death was hidden in the enticing bait. It had no idea that its freedom and life were going to be stolen by such an innocent looking situation.

King Solomon, a wise and inspired father, feared for his son. He knew whorish women could steal his soul, destroy his reputation, ruin his reign, reduce his finances, and corrupt the family tree. He warned him repeatedly of the danger of adulteresses, which he called strange women (Pr 2:16-19; 5:1-23; 6:20-35; 7:1-27; 9:13-18; 22:14; 23:27-28; 30:20; Eccl 7:26-29). Will you pay attention to the inspired advice of the wisest king to his son?

He exhorted his son to be faithful to his wife and enjoy her body and the children she could bear him (Pr 5:15-19). Every wise father will do the same by frequently warning his children against sexual sins, especially in this lascivious and wanton generation. Casual sex ought to be called what it is – adultery, fornication, and whoremongering.

The context of this proverb is a lengthy parable describing in detail the seduction of a foolish young man (Pr 7:6-23). The proverb before you is the conclusion, which Solomon then followed with an application and exhortation to his children (Pr 7:24-27). The young man, bewitched by the appearance, flattery, and assurances of the seductress, went after her as ignorantly and willingly as an ox to the slaughter or a fool to prison (Pr 7:22).

The lesson is simple, but crucial. Casual sex, no matter how appealing, is fatal! The visual beauty, the flattering words, and the rush of lustful excitement are lies. The stupid ox is about to be slaughtered; the stupid bird is about to be killed. If you even think about fornication or adultery, you are as stupid as both of them. Death is certain. You cannot see clearly, because you have allowed your lusts to blind your eyes (Jas 1:14-15).

Adultery corrupts the soul (Pr 6:32). It condemns the conscience (Pr 5:11-14). Adultery ruins the reputation (Pr 5:9; 6:30-33). It destroys confidence (Pr 6:26). Adultery steals your assets (Pr 5:10). It enslaves the heart (Pr 5:22). Adultery destroys marriages and violates families (Pr 5:17; Mal 2:11-16). Why would you even consider it?

Adultery is nearly impossible to end (Pr 23:27-28). It can bring revengeful murder (Pr 6:34-35). Adultery can bring STD’s. It reduces sexual function. Adultery can bring capital punishment (Lev 20:10). It brings God’s judgment (Heb 13:4). And then adultery takes you down to an eternity in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8).

How much of this grave danger did the young man see? None of it! He saw her physical beauty that fired his desires through the lust of his eyes (Pr 7:10). He felt her arms and kisses that fired his desires through the lust of the flesh (Pr 7:13). And he was mesmerized by her words that stroked his pride of life (Pr 7:21). He should have stayed away from her and never looked twice in her direction (Rom 13:14; I John 2:15-17).

Reader, you have three enemies that hate you and will tell you that fornication is not dangerous. First, your depraved heart, controlled by your lusts, will tell you that warnings against casual sex are the rants of old fogies that know nothing about sex. You need to learn about your heart – it is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things (Jer 17:9).

Second, the world, by the direction of the devil, will glamorize, promote, and make it available to you by every means they can invent. And third, Satan and his angels will whisper suggestive thoughts to your mind in favor of it. If you are ignorant or slothful about these enemies, they will take you down, just as they did Samson and David.

What is the cure? Write this proverb and its warning of certain death on your heart (Pr 6:20-24; 7:1-5,24-27). Stay away from any and all temptations toward sexual sins, whether by pornography in a magazine, a romance novel, the television, or the Internet.

Reject coed gyms, beaches, bars, office parties, chat rooms, or any place or activity where immoral or unclothed persons congregate. And avoid even those virtuous persons among friends, family, associates, or church members that are a temptation to your soul.

What is the cure? Marry a godly spouse and work at a full and satisfying relationship with him or her (Pr 5:19; I Cor 7:1-5). Neither spouse in Solomon’s Song was thinking of adultery! Delight in the long-term pleasures of a legitimate and loving family with children (Pr 5:15-18; Ps 127:3-5; 128:1-4). Replace personal and private activities that tend toward sin with marital and family activities that promote virtue.

Is it too late for you? Are you already involved in this terrible sin? Has the dart already entered your liver? Has the snare already captured you for the kill? Repent! Confess your sin! Admit your stupidity! Run from any further temptation as quickly and surely as Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:12). Do not run tomorrow – run today, now!

God can and will forgive (Job 33:27-28; I John 1:9). He can and will honor you yet (I Cor 6:9-11). David was still God’s favorite, even after aggravated adultery and murder (I Kgs 15:1-5). God’s forgiveness is beyond your comprehension by the full and free provision of Jesus Christ for repentant sinners (Is 55:6-9). Believe it! But you must repent and run now, this very minute, for you cannot count on conviction or even life tomorrow.