She's A Maneater

Great song from Hall & Oates from the '80s (yes, I still love '80s music). It warns of a woman who only comes out at night; one who's beauty is present, but a beast is in her heart; and causes men to think they can have her for themselves. They warn that she will "chew you up" and they tell the listener, "I wouldn't, if I were you..."

Their version was released in 1982, but Solomon released a version in about 900 BC. In Proverbs 7:1-27, he warns of a woman dressed as a prostitute (fully-colored, not-so fully covered, gold and jewels, things that catch passing men's attention) who seduced a young man. He said that he saw the woman outside in the open square, on the street corners (the actions of the typical prostitute of that time in Israel) looking for prey. He says that he saw her with a touch and a kiss put a leash on him, leading him right into her bed which was prepared for him with fine linens and sweet perfumes. She assures him of her husband's absence, far away on business, not to return for days. With smooth words and voice, she invites him to enjoy her to his fullest desires till morning.

Solomon described him as one who was devoid of understanding, and as one rushing headlong as an ox to the slaughter. He describes his fall as an arrow through the liver, and a bird caught in a snare. He says the man did not know this would cost him his life. We don't know whether Solomon was speaking of physical life, or his soul, or the many other facets of life that adultery destroys.

So he cries out to other men not to let their hearts be seduced. Solomon, if anyone, knew the power of sexual temptation. He said that it has wounded or destroyed many wise and many strong men. As if he wasn't clear enough, in the final verse, he says that women like these are the doors to hell itself.

Our culture is completely inundated with sex. Sex in movies, sex in shows, sexual innuendos in commercials, books promoted to glorify adultery and immorality. Sex trafficking is a menace upon the world. Pornography is an addiction for millions. The "hook up" cultural as well as the LGBT movement and further damaged the intent of sex. Sex, which was meant as a good gift for a man and a woman to share as a bonding agent in their monogamous marriage, and beautiful picture of the relationship of God and his people, Christ and his church, has been belittled, twisted, and exploited.

So, please heed the warning of a song from 1982, "I wouldn't, if I were you." Heed the warning of Solomon, "her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death," Proverbs 7:27. Guard your heart, "make a covenant with your eyes," Job 31:1, and plead with God to "turn your eyes away from looking at worthless things," Ps 119:37. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, Jesus said in Mark 14:38. Remember the strongest man in the bible (Samson) fell to sexual sin, and it cost him his life. The godliest man in the bible (David) fell to sexual sin, and it cost him the lives of his sons and daughters, and his kingdom for a time. The wisest man in the bible (Solomon) fell to sexual sin, and his heart was led away from the God of Israel to follow after the idols of his wives and concubines, leading Israel astray, splitting it down the middle.

Flee from sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18), or it will cost you your life, family, job, reputation, testimony, home, respect, dignity, integrity, trustworthiness, and so on. Culture, technology, and our sinfulness has made it an easy destruction.