Proverbs 7:5 (NLT)
“Let them hold you back from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of an adulterous woman.”

### The Skill of the Seduction

We have to understand this on multiple levels. Solomon uses the imagery of an immoral woman to identify the staggering power of seduction. Let’s not get it twisted: Sin is attractive. Immorality knows exactly how to reel you in and get you “caught up.” The enemy has studied your history; he knows the timing, the tone, and the “lure” that works on you.
You cannot beat the master of influence with your own strength. Your flesh and mind are far too susceptible to the sultry sounds of compromise without divine intervention. You don’t just need a “self-help” book; you need the Holy Spirit’s insight to hold you back. Only the transformation of your mind can override the gravitational pull of an illicit affair with the world.

The Practice:

Protecting the Appetite

1. Don’t Just Run From—Run To
You can’t successfully run away from sin if you don’t have a destination. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 that the secret to not conforming to the world is word-power not willpower, the transformation of the mind. When you run to Wisdom, the Word of God begins to override and change your appetites. You don’t have to fight the craving for “junk” when you’ve developed a hunger for the “Jewels” of the Kingdom.
2. The Sensory Audit
Check up! What are you consuming on a regular basis? Your flesh doesn’t need any help being sinful, but your spirit man needs a lot of help to stay upright. We all live just a breath away from a “affair.”
 The Ears: What is your daily playlist?
 The Eyes: What are you lingering on?
 The Body: Check your diet. High sugar and processed foods don’t just hurt your heart; they cloud your mind and weaken your resolve. An unhealthy body often leads to an undisciplined spirit. Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), not the world!
3. Put Your Proclivities on “Blast”
Admit it: You like certain things that aren’t good for you. We all have a “leaning.” Identify your proclivities, call them out, and put them on blast before God. Your transparency is your greatest defense. When you drag your hidden desires into the light of God’s presence, they lose their power to ambush you in the dark.

Today’s Declaration:

“I am resigning from the ‘Secret Life’ today! I refuse to be seduced by the hollow flattery of the world or the toxic cravings of my flesh. I am running TO Wisdom, auditing my senses, and putting my proclivities on blast before the Lord. My mind is being transformed, my appetite is being changed, and I am held back by the power of the Holy Spirit!”

Sin is a skilled hunter, but Wisdom is a sure shield. Today is a great day to make a Fresh Start!
God bless,
+Pastor Kris