“For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread, and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.” Proverbs 6:26

There are several interpretations of this verse. Some say it refers to the different consequences concerning these two women, suggesting that there are not many consequences with the prostitute — it’s “just one more man” — but that the married woman involves her whole life. How many adulterers have ended up impoverished, suffering the devastating consequences of their sin, some never recovering from it.

Our own plans will cost us dearly. Someone once said: “Our own plans pay now but cost later, whereas God’s plans cost now but pay later.” When we do things our own way, we might experience success, happiness, and a certain kind of joy — but all of that will be short-lived! We sometimes fail to realize that the consequences of our choices can bring us to the point of being reduced to “a crust of bread.” One of the consequences of the curse of the law in Deuteronomy 28 was poverty: “Your basket and your kneading bowl shall be cursed” (Deut. 28:17).

Some choices have small consequences, while others have greater ones! Let’s take the time to reflect on our decisions and not act on impulse, just because we feel like it!

We cannot do everything our minds suggest, or it will lead to chaos! We must submit our flesh and our thoughts to God’s plans for us, even if those plans cost us something now! Sometimes, when we choose God’s plans, it feels like nothing is happening for a long while — but if we persevere, the reward will be great in the end.

My prayer: I refuse to walk in my own plans, even if they look good, but I want to choose and walk in Your plans, even if they cost me…

This text is an excerpt from the book “365 Days in the Heart of Proverbs” written by Jérémy Sourdril.

We invite you to read the next article: “WRONG TURNS“.