This chapter gives warning of another aspect of adultery and its consequences.
There was no intention of evil until the young man, now a mature man, placed himself in harm’s way. He exposes himself to danger through a lack of communion with his God — no watching, diligence or prayer. The mind was not kept in a higher sphere as he was instructed by his parents, but because of lust, there was no understanding. In the higher sphere, evil can be dealt with before it appears, and he will not be attracted to it.
The instruction, received and laid up, was not delighted in. He may have been instructed, but if it was not absorbed as the knowledge that comes through reflection, he had no understanding. Wisdom can be found only in the path of judgment — the process of forming an opinion, an evaluation by discerning and comparing.
The conscience was buried in darkness. If there had been the presence of God in communion, the conscience would be kept thoroughly active, and the young man preserved. The conscience is the door of entrance of the truth to the heart — its intelligence. The young man had neglected this and was without moral protection from wickedness, as his path shows.
Strong
Those slain by the “strange woman” were strong men. Consider the strong man, Samson. Was not Samson one who ruled Israel? Were there any as strong as he recorded in Scripture? Yet he, who could slay a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass, was not able to stand before a woman. The woman’s means of bringing Samson down to utter helplessness was a mouth of flattery (Judges 16:1616And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; (Judges 16:16)). The moment he gave away his secret — that he was a Nazarite — he lost all of his tremendous power, only to grind in the prison house the rest of his days. No superhuman strength could avail. All the safeguards had been removed; only moral power could have kept him.
Not all that were deceived by the strange woman were young. But “all slain by her were strong” (Prov. 7:2626For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. (Proverbs 7:26) JND). Could it be that this man said in self-confidence before this happened, “I never would do such a thing.” I have known an older believer who said this before his fall. But man is not sufficient for himself. I have witnessed an old, strong man weeping as he sat back at the Lord’s table. His strength had failed. I have known teachers of the Word who have fallen by a strange woman.
Violence is bad, but does not corrupt within like lust. Lust touches the spring of affections and pollutes it. What would have been affection for another becomes a corrupt well of heartlessness. The soul will die for want of discipline. The memory of this will never leave once the person has fallen.
This young man in Proverbs thought that he was strong, but his strength, like Samson’s, had waned through lack of communion. When out of communion we can fall, ruin our life and bring sorrow to family and friends. In his shame, the testimony was lost and the Lord dishonored. This young man was brought to the gates of death and hell.