Proverbs – Introduction to WisdomSample

Guarding Your Affections

Christians have traditionally focused on right beliefs and right behavior. These are extremely important because believing the right thing leads to behaving in the right way. This is why a spiritual father (the apostle Paul) was eager to warn his spiritual son (Timothy) to watch his life and doctrine closely. Living the right way and embracing the right doctrine is a key to reigning in life.

But there’s another area where we need to be equally vigilant: the area of “right affections.” If beliefs apply to the mind, and behavior to the will, then affections, desires, and passions apply to the heart. In the book of Proverbs, the heart is just as important as the head and the will. The heart is the deep, inner core of our personality—the engine for all our decision-making. Good hearts produce good choices.

In Proverbs 5, our Father makes it very clear that he wants holy passions and affections within us. This is especially true of our sexuality. He warns us not to be seduced into acts of sexual immorality because they lead down a slippery road to anguish and shame. Instead, we should run as far and as fast as possible from it.

Truly, our Father’s wisdom leads to greater fulfillment than the temptations of the world. His perfection trumps every one of the world’s perversions. Let the Father’s wisdom enter your heart and align your sexuality to his perfect blueprint.

Write a prayer asking the Father to reveal his perfect will and ways for your sexual affections and passions. Listen to him and write what you feel he says.