Key Bible Verse: The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But … her steps lead straight to the grave (Proverbs 5:3-4). Bonus Reading: Proverbs 5:1-21

"You're lookin' good, Jeff. If it wasn't for that wedding ring, we could have a lot of fun."

A single woman from my pre-Christian past said these words to me at my 10-year high school reunion. Unlike most of my classmates, "Amber" had actually lost weight since we'd last seen each other. She looked good herself, and it was clear I could play off her hint if I wanted to.

Without safeguards in place, I probably would have. Back in my pre-marriage counseling, our pastor told my wife and me that some day someone outside our union would express a sexual interest in one of us. He shared a warning from Proverbs 5:1-21. "Never play along," he urged.

Amber smiled and leaned closer.

I realized I couldn't afford to return her flirtatious banter. So I replied, "But if you had a man with a ring, and some woman said the same thing to him, what would you want him to do?"

Her smile faded, the body language changed, and I could barely hear her voice. Something had killed the spark right then and there.

I suspect the "never play along" principle saved me from heartache that night.

—Jeffrey Leever in Colorado

My Response: How do I respond to the flattery of flirtation?

Thought to Apply: Temptation is a woman's weapon and a man's excuse.—H.L. MENCKEN (journalist)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, give me the determination to do whatever it takes to stay sexually pure, both physically and mentally.

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