I’m not even talking about the one in Proverbs 31–yet. I thought it might be interesting to read through the book of Proverbs, noting the passages that talk about women and try to learn a few things. I met the first such passage in the second chapter, verses 16-18.

NKJV
16 To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, 17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. 18 For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead; 19 None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life

NIV
16 It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, 17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. 18 For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

NLT
16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the adulterous woman. 17 She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. 18 Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to hell. 19 The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.

The Message
16 Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress – that smooth-talking Seductress 17 Who’s faithless to the husband she married years ago, never gave a second thought to her promises before God. 18 Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell. 19 No one who joins her company ever comes back, ever sets foot on the path to real living. 20 So – join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried and true paths. 21 It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here.

You can see I’ve quoted a few more verses from The Message, because it mentions women again. As an aside, I read The Message a couple of years ago, and I really enjoyed it. It’s very easy to follow and reads like a novel. I would not use it to study by itself, but to get someone acquainted with the Bible (or a tired and busy woman able to get though it with some understanding) it’s a decent resource.

Anyway, on to the mental notes. This is just not a woman I want to be. In fact, I don’t want to be in the same league she’s in. And boy, am I ever so glad that when we repent, God forgives. Oh yes, I am. And yet…

This set of verses begins to show us how much power women have. God made us pretty and little so that men desire to give us what we want. He did that for our protection. Sometimes, though, we mis-use those feminine wiles. We ask for things we ought not to have, and perhaps we even … beguile acquiescence from our husbands. Yes, I know the passage isn’t discussing a woman and her husband, but the principle is there, and the principle is that a woman can absolutely ruin a man by tempting and teasing him into places (physically and emotionally) where he ought not to be. Sex is great fun, honestly. It is a blessing and a gift from God. But when we use pouty lips and the honey pot to distract a man from what ought to be, then that’s wrong.

I guess I have to admit that I might occasionally try do that. There’s a thin line, I think, between flirting and banter with your husband all in fun, and the same acts trying to get your way. I’d go so far as to say that sometimes, he might not be able to see the difference from the outside. It comes down to motivation, doesn’t it?

Well, I certainly got a little off track there, didn’t I? That’s the way this rabbit trail mind works. besides, I’m not sure I typed all that by myself.