Proverbs 5:12
“And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;”
This proverb is an instruction manual for those who would consider being unfaithful to their spouse. When a person gets married they vow to their spouse that they will, “…forsake all others.” If only this part of the vow would be hung at the door of every home. Many have made these vows, seen the heartache of others who broke those vows, and yet still walk down the same pathway to see the same heartache.
The father in this proverb warns his son of the heartache that unfaithfulness to one’s spouse brings. He warns the son that the end of the strange woman is a two-edged sword that will destroy everything for which he ever worked. Oh the heartache that comes from being unfaithful to your spouse. Before a person ever decides to do this, they need to consider a few things.
First, an unfaithful spouse always thinks they will never get caught, but it eventually comes out. The lure of the strange woman may seem sweet, but the end of the act will leave a bitter taste in your mouth. You may have gotten away with unfaithfulness once or twice, but eventually it will come out. We have watched many people in the past who thought they would never be caught, but they were and the destruction was great. Let me give you a friendly warning to heed the instruction of those from the past. That instruction is that you cannot play with the fire of a strange woman without it burning you in the end.
Second, think about the pain unfaithfulness will cause your family. I wish there was a way that every person could see the pain, heartache, anguish and grief of the revelation that unfaithfulness causes to the innocent family members. It won’t just affect your family, but it will affect the family of the one with whom you are unfaithful. The pain which they will have to endure for many years is great. Before you ever decide to be unfaithful to your spouse, think about the heartache it will cause. This act will cause great heartache to you and your family.
Third, ask yourself if you want others to enjoy the fruits of your labors. The very joys that you were supposed to enjoy in life because of your hard work will be gone because of unfaithfulness. What a shame to work your whole life for something and let others be the recipient of the fruits of your labors. All this because you would not listen to the instruction of others warning you and because you would not take heed to the conviction in your heart. I have seen many people who began to see the fruits of their labors ruin years of work due to unfaithfulness. Friend, somebody else will enjoy the fruits of your labors when unfaithfulness is revealed.
Be very careful to live your life above board for it will come back to get you. Take the instruction of Proverbs 5, and don’t think that you are above it. If you become unfaithful to your spouse, you will one day say, “How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.” Don’t fall for the lures of unfaithfulness. Make your marriage the greatest. Enjoy your spouse! Love your spouse so greatly that the lures of unfaithfulness will be distasteful and abhorred.