A Prayer about Seduce ability
With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.
All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death. (Prov. 7:21–27)
Dear Lord Jesus, we’ve been created and re-created to connect with you deeply— to enjoy an intimacy, union, and communion of which our best relationships are only a hint, a whisper, a symbol. But alas, like all good things, our longings get hijacked and sabotaged by sin and death.
Samson and King David do not stand alone. There are many lonely husbands, many lonely wives, many lonely single people who are primed for a fling, targets for an affair— aching, yearning, reaching for a few minutes of pleasure to medicate months, years, even a lifetime of disconnect and emptiness. It may never become physically sexual, but sometimes just the emotional connection can bring an exhilaration bordering on intoxication, and it is an intoxication that can lead to addiction, then destruction.
Jesus, even when we’re connecting well, even when our marriages are at a good place, or even when we’re quite content and fulfilled in our singleness, our seduce ability is ever present. Help us, Lord Jesus. How we long for our life in the new heaven and new earth— when we will never be capable of ever sinning again, or even of being tempted.
The way of the gospel is neither paranoia nor presumption but rather wisdom, care, and freedom. So, Lord Jesus, give us— give me— more gospel sanity. We turn our hearts toward you. You are constantly wooing us in the gospel, saying, “Come away, my beloved.” Who do we have in heaven but you, Lord Jesus, and being with you, who or what could we possibly desire more on this earth? Only your love is better than life. We believe; help our unbelief. We humbly pray in your loving name.
Amen.