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You Can Remain Chaste in an Immoral World

Proverbs 5:5 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
⁵Her feet go down to death;
her steps take hold of Sheol;

Her feet go down to death: That one sexual encounter can lead to death might seem highly unlikely until the age of seeing the world through the internet. Sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, Syphilis if not treated, can cause death, certain types of HPV^[1] can cause cervical cancer, which if not caught, can end in death, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can cause sterility if not treated; in addition, it can lead to PID^[2] which again, if untreated can cause death. Hepatitis B can lead to a debilitating disease and, over time, failure of the liver. This is all in the age of extraordinary science. Can we imagine in the Ancient Near East, with no medication to treat diseases? Then, death can also come from a betrayed spouse who acts out in rage to take the life of the two who violated the marriage bed.

Her steps take hold of Sheol: The seductress’s steps lead to (שְׁאוֹל sheol or שְׁאֹל sheol) Sheol, which is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that refers to the grave of humankind. The wisdom here would be in taking a moment to think of the outcome of one’s actions instead of the momentary pleasure of immediate gratification. Sheol: (שְׁאֹל sheol) Sheol occurs sixty-six times in the UASV. The Greek Septuagint renders Sheol as Hades. It is the grave. It has the underlying meaning of a place of the dead, where they are conscious of nothing, awaiting a resurrection, for both the righteous and the unrighteous. (Gen. 37:35; Psa. 16:10; Ac 2:31; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15) It corresponds to “Hades” in the NT. It does not involve torment and punishment.

A distressed inner-self, an unexpected child, a disease transmitted through a sexual encounter, or the breakup of a home are all bitter results of an immoral indiscretion. In addition, let us consider the massive emotionally distraught spouse, who may never be able to trust you again because of your unfaithfulness. It only takes one act of betrayal to alter the course of multiple lives for generations.

The idea of eternal destruction and eternal life should be a deterrent if one believes both are possible. The adulteress sweet-talks the victim, who gives her a hearing ear. Those who are unaware of Satan’s ways will not end up on the path to life, for he will keep them from it. If one is kept busy in Satan’s world, there is no time to consider the path of life. Satan dedicates himself to securing man’s interests by diverting them away from the Word of God, as sin blinds our understanding, sears the conscience, making it callused, and prevents them from the path of life. Sexual immorality takes the heart away. – Hosea 4:11.

[1] Human Papilloma Virus

[2] Pelvic Inflammatory Disease