Want to know what goes on in a seduction? As our culture debates over what we teach our children about sex and sexuality, Proverbs has words that have guided young people and protected them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What about all the destroyed lives when our culture wakes up and discovers that their experiment with sexuality was not liberating but devastating? We only get to experiment with our own life once. It only makes sense to read what godly parents taught their kids about sex in Proverbs.

Sex is one of our strongest human drives and yet sometimes from the silence of the church you would think that this was forbidden ground as far as divine instruction is concerned. In fact the book of Proverbs has some very realistic things to communicate to us about this powerful force. With all the talk about sex education it is time for us to take a careful look at one of the oldest curriculums on this subject in existence.

Hollywood portrays it as the ultimate thrill ride of life that can satisfy the deepest longings and desires, but the church often condemns it as sinful or tolerates it as a necessity to keep the human race going. Sex –it is often taught in the classroom but avoided in home and church. How in the world has a group of people who pride themselves on their commitment to the Bible—a book that begins portraying a naked husband and wife--become so uptight about sexuality to the point that many young people believe that the devil created the human sexual response and all the pleasure that comes with it?

It’s a job that is never done. It’s a task that few appreciate. Mothers mend the holes in their children’s lives and who notices? Because it is often the unrecognized profession in today’s money driven economy many women are choosing to leave the stinky diapers and toddler’s temper tantrums for the self-fulfillment of a career. God’s word never states that a woman shouldn’t enter the work force but it does state that when a mother thinks it’s more important to sell real estate than to skillfully build her own house, values have become tragically twisted.

Thousands of Americans are pumping iron, pounding the pavement, doing the one, two, three, fours with their favorite workout tape. Millions are spent to gain the vital information needed to get in shape physically, but sadly in the end even the most sculptured body disintegrates into dust. There is a more important part of our being that needs to be strengthened—our internal spiritual being. What are you doing to get in shape spiritually?

Our continuing discussion about how to raise godly kids in a godless age takes us today to the most famous verse in all of Proverbs--Proverbs 3:5 & 6. Who should we trust? Who should our kids trust? And why? When we find the answer to these questions, we will know the will of God. Let’s find out why trust is so fundamental to the wise individual.

How would you as a parent feel if you suddenly received word that a deadly contract had been put out against your child? There was a mad man who desired to snuff out their life? Obviously, your heart would be full of fear. But suppose I told you that I could pass along some information that could preserve your child’s life? I am certain you would be all ears. God’s handbook for skillful parenting--the Old Testament book of Proverbs--reveals that there are three demolition artists who want to slam a wrecking bar into the tender lives that live in our homes.

Rebates—from government rebates for energy efficient appliances to the large cash rewards for buying the new car now, sales people know the power of rebates to increase sales. Our ears perk up when someone says, “Listen, this is what you are going to get out of it.” Then listen, because you will discover what you will get out of it if you accept what wisdom is trying to teach. We are going to answer the question—Is it worth the investment?

In adolescence he mocks parental authority, in college he marches for anarchy, and in business he sarcastically ridicules all the fools who try to give him direction. His brand of cynical humor can make big bucks on late night TV but he knows little about what it takes to positively build a family, a community, or a nation. His name is “scoffer” and we are going to meet him on today’s Truth Encounter.

Right and wrong, sexual preferences, morality—many in our culture want to pretend that these choices are simply individual preferences, like choosing your favorite color, but no one gets sick and dies because their favorite color is red instead of blue. The truth is that there is a foolish way to live and a wise way to live and deep inside we all know there is a difference. Some mock these internal standards and others burn their conscience so severely that the moral scar tissue makes them totally insensitive to spiritual and moral issues, yet all have to face the consequences of the choices they make in life. Proverbs 1:20-33 shows us the consequences of rejecting wisdom’s invitation.