Proverbs 5
“She’s Cute, But She’s Chaos”
Proverbs 5 is like when your best friend grabs you by the shoulders, looks you dead in the eyes, and says: “Don’t fall for it. I’m serious. I love you, but NO.”
This chapter is all about temptation—and not the “one more cookie” kind. We’re talking the kind that looks good, sounds good, feels good… but leads you straight into disaster. We’d be fooling ourselves if we believe the wisdom in this chapter is only for men. Lust and adultery are equal opportunity sins and as we’ve heard before, sin will take you further and cost you more than you ever thought possible.
In this chapter, Solomon is warning his son (and all of us, honestly) about the “forbidden woman”—a symbol of temptation dressed up in charm and lip gloss. She talks smooth, walks pretty, but underneath it all? Bitterness. Regret. Energy-draining, peace-stealing, life-destroying sin.
And while this chapter seems to be taking about the romantic kind of temptation, let’s not forget… That smooth-talking voice of temptation comes in all kinds of forms: a shortcut, a compromise, that “harmless” little habit that keeps you stuck. Whatever it is, it always overpromises and under-delivers.
God’s wisdom is like a flashlight in those moments. He doesn’t just say “don’t do that”—He says, “I’ve got something better. Protect your heart. Guard your peace. Stay in your lane and watch Me bless it.” The Holy Spirit will alert you, if you let Him. Sometimes, it’s a tap on the shoulder, a small whisper… and sometimes, if you’re a bit stubborn like me, it’s a punch in the face.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
See, sometimes, we lose the narrow path with a HARD left turn. But, I think most often it happens with small decisions that lead us away from God’s best bit by bit. Small decisions that lead us to not spending time with him. Small decisions that leave us with friends or in circles that aren’t holding us accountable. Small decisions that make the next small decision easier and easier. Temptation comes in all sizes and if we’re not intentional, before we know it, we’re lost in the woods and very, very far from the narrow road we intended to walk.
Reflection Question:
- Where in your life is temptation dressing up as something desirable—but deep down, you know it’s draining you?
- Are you in relationships or friendships that are not only not holding you acceptable but may even be encouraging you away from the path God intended?
Short Prayer:
Lord, I know that not everything that looks good is good for me. Help me see clearly when I’m being pulled toward things that steal my peace. Let me be sensitive to your voice as the Holy Spirit alerts me when I am beginning to step outside of your perfect will for my life. Give me the strength to choose what honors You—even when the wrong thing feels easier or more fun. I trust You to lead me to something better. Amen.