Sunday Night Soaps

When a man loves a woman (women)

Men of the Bible have ALWAYS had problems with women! Whenever we step into our flesh and allow our desires to take over we invariably MESS UP!

Judges 14 - 16 Samson and the pagan Philistine woman from Timnah. He NOTICED her and said he had to have her.

· He knew nothing about her, and did not care

· She was pretty and that was enough for him

· They slept together and she became pregnant (it can happen on the first time)

· Well that was enough until he got mad because someone was able to figure his riddle out. Then he killed 30 men and moved back home with mommy and daddy.

· His trophy bride was given to the one who was to be his best man.

· Oh, yes – this was on his wedding day.

· The philistines later killed her and Samson’s dad

2 Samuel 11 and 12 “Late one afternoon David got out of bed after taking a nap and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.” (NLT)

· Again, he knew nothing about her

· Well, other than she looked good taking a bath

· He had her husband killed

· A child was lost due to David’s Sin

· David had to deal with God

Mark 6:21-28 “Herodias's chance finally came. It was Herod's birthday, and he gave a party for his palace aides, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee. Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased them all. "Ask me for anything you like," the king said to the girl, "and I will give it to you."

Then he promised, "I will give you whatever you ask, up to half of my kingdom!"

She went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother told her, "Ask for John the Baptist's head!" So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, "I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!" Then the king was very sorry, but he was embarrassed to break his oath in front of his guests. So he sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John's head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison,

brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.” (NLT)

I wonder what kind of dance this was? Well from our knowledge of the customs and rituals of the day it is safe to say that she was barely dressed and very provocative.
The King fell into her snare and in the moment of lust did something stupid
The Kings bad judgment cost John the Baptist his life

What are some things we can take from these two stories?

To the ladies

Be careful who sees you and how they see you
Do not be seen in public without proper coverings – you do not have to dress like a nun or a Quaker, but put a little thought into your clothing.
Know that men like to look at women. It is the root of their most basic physical need.
The less clothing you have on the more they want to look!
The more leg, belly or back you show the more attention you will get – wanted or unwanted
If you were the clothing – or lack of – do not complain that men are looking at you
You may attract the wrong man
Do not try to use your sexuality or your body to get what you want.
Your body is not a tool or a weapon
RESTRAIN that estrogen and obey God

For the men

Be always aware of lust!
Know that your most basic need is sexual fulfillment
Understand that women are more in control of their sexual arousal than you are.
Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (NLT)
The physical act of adultery is not the beginning. It starts with the eye – moves through the mind and is set into motion by the hand
Beware of scheming women who will use everything in their power to get what they want (the Erika Cane syndrome)
‘be careful little eyes what you see”
God made women special and precious – in His image
God did NOT make women to be used by you! They are not playthings or toys
Obey God – not hormones