Reminders for Purity . . . Proverbs 7:3

Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:3

The Father is continuing to share wisdom with his son - and as he does he once again covers the topic of immorality.  We should take note how often the father addresses this subject - and remember that this is a key area where men fall into sin.  It is particularly an area where we need to take the time to warn our sons and daughters of the dangers of sexual sin.

As the father speaks he tells his son to take what he says and bind in on his fingers.  What an interesting figure of speech this is.  As I looked for what this might mean I read where Hebrew boys would often take a piece of yarn or thread and wind it around their middle finger seven times to remind them of important lessons in their lives.  Here is one where the father tells his son to do this - to do whatever is necessary to have a physical reminder of the truth.  He wants his son to have something he can see to help him remember in a time of temptation that he needs to watch out for immoral woman and the dangers of falling into an immoral relationship.  the second thing that came to my mind was my own wedding ring.  What a wonderful daily reminder my ring is to me of the vows I made to my wife in the sight of God.  I am reminded of the promise to give myself to her and her only all the days of my life.  I also hope that my wedding ring is a reminder to any other woman that I am already taken in this world.

The father also tells his son to write these warnings on the tablet of his heart.  He needs a constant reminder of the Word of God.  He needs to be reminded that the teaching of the Word is one of holiness and purity.  The teaching of the Word is one that will point him to virginity until marriage and faithfulness after marriage.  These are the things we need reminders of in life.  There is such an amazing value to having the Word of God written on our hearts through memorizing and meditating upon the Scriptures daily.  These things will help us immensely. 

David Himself answered an important question about purity in Psalm 119 when he said, "How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it in accordance with Your Word.  With all my heart I have sought Thee, do not let me wander from the Words of Your mouth.  Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." 

There it is as plain as day.  God knows that if we will write these things on the tablets of our hearts we will be protected from sexual immorality in our lives.  Young men all know that the battle for purity and obedience to God in morality is difficult.  They are far better prepared for this war if they hide God's Word in their hearts.  Then when faced with temptation - they can bring the Word to their minds and make a conscious choice to turn away from sexual temptation and obey God.