I watched a ladybug devour an aphid. First, she pierced its midsection and chewed for a while. When her prey was mortally wounded, the ladybug munched up the left side of the aphid’s body and devoured it.
In the book of Proverbs, Solomon described the interaction between a female predator and her sexual prey. Although he wrote the passage to caution his son, men and women alike can learn to spot the aggressive— yet seductive—behavior of promiscuous prowlers.
Solomon’s story in Proverbs 7 featured a lady of the evening who was the “brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home” (Proverbs 7:11). She was constantly out on the town looking for “a good time,” disregarding the laws of decent behavior. Although some of us may be drawn to people who have a rebellious streak, in the end, those who disrespect the law won’t respect us either.
Predators often show their lack of respect through inappropriate advances. The prostitute Solomon described “threw her arms around [a complete stranger] and kissed him” (Proverbs 7:13). People who make us feel uncomfortable with touchy-feely behavior or seem too physically familiar should be avoided.
As if hugs and kisses weren’t enough to snare her prey, the huntress used this lame pickup line to entice the guy: “You’re the one I was looking for!” (Proverbs 7:15). Then she described what they could do in private. She “seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery” (Proverbs 7:21).
This ferocious female’s behavior was possible partly because her prey “lacked common sense” (Proverbs 7:7). He was crossing the street near her house at twilight. God’s Word commands us to get “wisdom” and “develop good judgment” (Proverbs 4:5), because wisdom can protect us from people whose “bedroom is the den of death” (Proverbs 7:27).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 18:1-14
More:
Read Genesis 39:8-16 to see how one man resisted the sexual advances of a determined woman.
Next:
How can we reduce our risk of encountering sexual predators? If you see any of the sexually aggressive person’s behavior in yourself, how can you change your behavior?
bearpair on August 22, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Good words of warning, Jennifer! Especially in these days, we need to be training up our sons to be “wise as serpents; harmless as doves!” And, we can also be training our daughters to treasure the person God has created them to be; not to carlessly throw themselves into the mold of the world. Thanks for this timely word of wisdom.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 22, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Thank you! I’m always amazed at how relevant God’s Word is–for ancient times, and for our modern world as well. It seems like the news today is full of stories about sexual predators. You are right about training our daughters to find their identity in Christ, rather than in the clothes they wear, or the amount of attention they attract from young men. The world wants to use only external measurements to determine so-called “beauty”. Some of the most beautiful women I have ever known exude kindness, generosity, peace, and joy. Beauty goes beyond what the world sees at first glance.
winn collier on August 22, 2011 at 4:20 pm
And guys are not exempt. Unfortunately.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 22, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Good point, Winn. Your comment made me think of a certain clothing store which targets high school kids. Usually, this place features a floor-to-ceiling poster of a muscle-bound (model) guy wearing swim trunks. yikes. I realize that the culture also pressures guys to look and act a certain way in order to attract women.
OnMyWayHome on August 22, 2011 at 8:18 pm
In a sermon the preacher was telling of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife he stated that the only time he saw it to run instead of standing and doing battle.
Genesis 39:11-13
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me. But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house,
This is the sin that untangled me the most through out my life and I have learned now to turn my eyes or not to go in that direction. The temptation is there for me to enjoy yet I want to think of my wife instead and keep it pure.
Well said……
jennifer benson schuldt on August 22, 2011 at 9:00 pm
OnMyWayHome,
Thanks for your comment. The idea of running from sexual sin started with Joseph, and was supported by Paul. He said, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does…” 1 Cor. 6:18. This kind of sin also corrupts our relationships with others, and with God. When facing temptation of any sort, Nahum 1:7 is a good verse to remember.