Why, my son, be captivated by a seducing woman? Why embrace a foreigner’s bosom? Proverbs 5:20, TLV
The First Person We Deceive… “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” (Sir Walter Scott)
I was thinking this morning. The first person we deceive when we enter sin, is ourselves. The web of deceit and rationalization confuses the mind and suffocates the light of truth.
In today’s proverb, deceit focuses on adultery, but as we’ve discussed before, this applies to any sin. The sin we think we can hide and justify.
When a spouse strays from their vows — their covenant — it begins in the mind and heart. Before they commit the physical act, they have already sinned in their heart.
“But I tell you that everyone who looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28, TLV
When I thought about that — “straying from our covenant” — I realized, our commitment to the LORD should be a vow, a covenant. So, whether you’re married or not, our greatest commitment is to our Heavenly Father.
Once we’re caught in that web of temptation, unless we pull ourselves free, there are repercussions. Repercussions that not only affect us, but can also devastate families, businesses, even communities.
Unless we cry out for the LORD to intervene — no matter when — 
the repercussions that follow will be worse than if we didn’t seek Him. Likewise, unless there is acknowledgement and repentance, families will also bear that mark of sin.
Life
Life throws us punches. It can spin us in a whirlwind where we don’t know which way is up or down. But GOD has immovable truths that always bring us back to stability—truth that sets us free.
It begins and ends with Him. He is GOD and there’s no one beside or before Him. His laws are true and eternal. He’s clear about what we can and can’t do.
The minute we think of giving in to any type of temptation, we’ve willingly tangled ourselves in that web. Only He can release us. And the beauty is, He wants to — we need only seek Him.
Don’t be captivated by sin. Be free.
Think More About It
Have you ever been tangled in a web of temptation and deceit? How has the Lord helped you escape?
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope today’s blog was helpful. If it has been, please share. It helps.
