Proverbs 23:8

Sweet morsels from seducers will make you sick! You will vomit up what you thought to be delectable and delightful. Do not be deceived by their generous offers of kindness.

God cares about your life. Solomon warned you here about luxurious living. First, you must discount the lifestyles of the rich and famous, especially if you are attracted to them (Pr 23:1-3). This is because their riches are vain and temporal (Pr 23:4-5). Finally, you must discern the hearts of those offering you fine things and sweet words (Pr 23:6-8).

No matter how much you may like fine things or sweet words, do not eat or become friends with a person having hidden motives. It is your duty to be wise and critically analyze his life and the situation to know his heart and real intentions (Pr 23:6). No matter what he says or what is on the table in front of you, you cannot trust him (Pr 23:7).

If you foolishly proceed and enjoy his things and words, you will soon know your error, and the lying favors you accepted will haunt you. You will vomit up the dainty morsels you ate, and you will despise the flattery you heard, both of which were to reduce your inhibitions to take advantage of you. This is the proverb’s warning. Thank you, Lord.

Sinners entice their victims by offering favors. The devil did so to Eve in Eden (Gen 3:1-6); cutthroats offer friendship and privilege to join their gangs (Pr 1:10-19); adulteresses speak of love and pleasure to seduce foolish men (Pr 7:10-21); false teachers promise freedom to live as you wish to contemporary Christians (II Pet 2:18-20); and Rome’s priests pretend great humility when they glorify their grand Mother Church (Rev 17:1-6).

Consider how women entice men to their destruction – the whore to sexual sins and then death and hell (Pr 2:18; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18), and the odious woman to a painful and hellish marriage (Pr 12:4; 21:9,19; 30:23). How can these two women – two of the greatest dangers and enemies – be so successful against so many men, even the strong (Pr 7:26)?

First, they offer favors – the things men desire, whether sexual liberties or the perfect meal. It has been said many times that the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. No wonder Solomon wrote this warning about food (Pr 23:6-8). Then, they prepare everything as beautiful as possible – their bodies and the setting (Pr 7:10-21).

But King Lemuel’s mother saved you from both tactics. Believe and obey her great summary rule for the perfect woman, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (Pr 31:30). It is hard to estimate the value of such a precious proverb. Millions of men could have been saved by following it.

The company you keep is more important than the meal provided or the words spoken. Seducers are skilled at disarming their victims with fine dining and flattering attention. It is your wisdom to measure men by their character and motives and ignore the fare on the table or the words coming out of their mouths. God and Solomon tried to protect you.

Any menu can be a dainty and sweet morsel, if love is there (Pr 15:16-17; 17:1). Any words from a true friend, even if they are a rebuke, are a real kindness and better than kisses (Pr 27:5-6; 28:23; Ps 141:5). Where can you find such dear friends? In the true churches of Jesus Christ, where they live, serve, speak, and die in faithfulness to Him.

Lady Wisdom has prepared a table where you can eat with total abandon and enjoy her every preparation and word (Pr 9:1-5). Where do you find her? In the Bible, the wisdom of God, and in her preachers that teach her wisdom. And the Lord Jesus Christ offers the same feast of His own flesh and blood to all that believe and obey Him (John 6:28-69).