Lust or Love

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

Lust or Love

In Genesis chapter 2, beginning in verse 18, we read:

"And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.'" (Genesis 2:18)

Then in verse 22:

"Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

God created the sexes—male and female—for a purpose. He designed it this way, and in Proverbs 5, He becomes very explicit about how we are to use our physical bodies. God tells us both what to do and what not to do. He gives us freedom to choose: to use our bodies for love or for lust.

A Description of Lust

The first six verses of Proverbs 5 give us a description of lust. The chapter begins with advice:

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion and your lips may keep knowledge." (Proverbs 5:1–2)

Discretion is defined as the ability to make responsible decisions and to judge quickly what is correct and proper. God wants us to use discretion and good judgment regarding our bodies. He wants us to make responsible decisions.

In verse 3, we see the first trait of lust:

"For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil."

Lust is deceptive and seductive. Whether man or woman, lust entraps and lures through flattery and smooth words. Proverbs 2:16 speaks of the seductress who flatters with her words. The neighbor’s wife may look inviting, as David discovered in 2 Samuel 11. Proverbs 6:27–29 says:

"Can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned? ... So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent."

In verse 4 of Proverbs 5:

"But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword."

Lust promises pleasure but delivers pain. Solomon confirms this in Ecclesiastes 7:26:

"I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters."

Lust leads down a destructive path. Verses 5–6 say:

"Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell."

Proverbs 7:24–27 echoes this with a dire warning that many strong men have been destroyed by lust.

The Devastation of Lust

Proverbs 5:7–14 outlines the devastation of lust. In verses 7–8, we again hear advice:

"Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house."

Stay far away from temptation. Don’t play with fire—you’ll get burned. Jesus teaches similarly in Matthew 5:27–30: even looking at a woman to lust after her is committing adultery in the heart.

In verses 9–14, the Holy Spirit lists the consequences:

• Loss of Honor and Reputation (v. 9): Years of good character can be destroyed in a moment.
• Loss of Wealth (v. 10): Promiscuity can result in financial loss, such as divorce and ruined assets.
• Loss of Health (v. 11): Sexual sin can lead to pain, anguish, and disease.
• Regret and Remorse (vv. 12–13): You realize too late that you ignored instruction and correction.
• Public Shame (v. 14): Your sin becomes known; you are disgraced among the congregation.

The Delight of Married Love

Beginning in verse 15, Solomon contrasts lust with the beauty of godly love in marriage:

"Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well."

Let a husband satisfy his sexual desires with his wife—and with no one else. Marriage is God’s design for intimacy. Proverbs 9:13–18 warns against being seduced by stolen water (lust), which leads to death.

Proverbs 5:18–19 paints a vivid picture of delight:

"Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth."

God made marriage for joy and mutual fulfillment. Sexual love within marriage is a blessing meant to exhilarate and enrapture. It is holy and beautiful.

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 7:3–5, teaching that husbands and wives are to fulfill each other’s physical needs so that Satan does not tempt them through lack of self-control. They are one flesh—united physically and spiritually.

Final Warning

Proverbs 5 concludes with a final warning (vv. 21–23):

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord ... His own iniquities entrap the wicked man."

Lust promises freedom but brings slavery. It ensnares like a cord, pulling one into destruction because instruction was ignored.

Conclusion

From the beginning, God has instructed us clearly. Love within marriage is sacred, but lust outside of it leads to ruin. The world may glorify lust, but God warns of its consequences. We must choose: love or lust, God’s way or the world’s way. How are you spending your life? Will you follow the lust of the flesh or walk in the love of God's word? The choice is yours.

If you need to respond to God’s invitation tonight, do so as we stand and sing.

Sermon Outline: Lust or Love

1. Introduction
   • Proverbs 5 introduces a choice: will we honor our bodies through love or corrupt them through lust?
2. The Nature of Lust (Proverbs 5:1-6)
   • Lust is deceptive and seductive (v. 3; Proverbs 2:16; 6:27-29)
   • Its end is bitterness and destruction (vv. 4-6; Ecclesiastes 7:26)
3. The Consequences of Lust (Proverbs 5:7-14)
   • Avoid temptation altogether (vv. 7-8; Matthew 5:27-30)
   • You risk your:
     • Honor (v. 9)
     • Wealth (v. 10)
     • Health (v. 11)
     • Self-esteem (vv. 12-13)
     • Reputation (v. 14)
4. The Beauty of Married Love (Proverbs 5:15-20)
   • Satisfaction and exclusivity in marriage (vv. 15-17)
   • Joyful, God-honoring intimacy (vv. 18-19; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
   • Reject promiscuity (Proverbs 9:13-18)
5. The Final Warning and Call (Proverbs 5:21-23)
   • God sees all (v. 21)
   • Sin entraps and kills (vv. 22-23; 2 Peter 2:18-19)

Call to Action Reject the lies of lust and embrace the blessings of God-ordained love. Don’t trade lasting joy for temporary pleasure. If your heart has wandered, turn back to the Lord today. Let His word cleanse, guide, and restore you. Choose love. Choose purity. Choose Christ. Respond to His invitation with repentance and faith.

Scripture Reference List

• Proverbs 5:1-23 – The entire foundation of the lesson
• Proverbs 2:16; 6:27-29 – Seduction and danger of adultery
• Ecclesiastes 7:26 – The bitterness of lustful entrapment
• Matthew 5:27-30 – Jesus’ warning against lust
• Proverbs 9:13-18 – Contrast of wisdom and folly
• 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 – Sexual responsibility in marriage
• 2 Peter 2:18-19 – Lust’s false promise of freedom

Library of Sermon Outlines On Marriage