2016 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



These devotional messages are personalized as messages to Ray's granddaughter, Samara.

5 January 2017

Good morning, Samara.

We didn’t do our walk/jog this morning. It’s quite cold out there—23 degrees. We had both cats and both dogs inside last night just to help protect them from the harsh cold that they are not accustomed to.

Lots on my list again. I better get cracking.

love, Tua.


Proverbs 5
Focus: “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house.” Proverbs 5:8.

I see here a similarity to the theme we touched on yesterday.

Who is “her” in the FOCUS VERSE? She is the “adulteress” as indicated in v. 3. Just for clarification, an “adulteress” is a married woman who engages in sexual activity outside of her marriage—and seems to have no resistance or reluctance to doing so—she may even be eager in that behavior. So, Samara, since you are not even married yet, this instruction does not yet apply to you—right? Wrong! How so? Because it should be taken as a principle—not just a specific rule. I think it’s important to understand that when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord you are taking on a spiritual relationship and commitment equal to being married to Christ. Many Bible passages support this idea. Therefore, to indulge in any kind of thinking or behavior that opposes or neutralize that special relationship is on a par with spiritual adultery.

I think that the best use of the word “adulteress” here is to make it represent anything that interferes with, impairs, or violates this special exclusive holy relationship—characterized by A HEART AFTER GOD. If that is true, then we all should be very careful about what we do, what we see (movies), and what we talk about, because all those components of life have such powerful heart-level influence.

In that regard, let’s rehearse what I believe to be our greatest practical responsibility before God as contained in chapter 4…

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of live.”
~ Proverbs 4:23 ~