Dear Abby

(Pro 6:24 KJV)  To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

As you read through Proverbs you find that Solomon gives a lot of advice about marriage and dealing with women.  In one way you would think he was an authority.  He did have the legendary 1000 wives.  Actually only 600 were wives and the rest were concubines.  In another way you would wonder if he had anything to tell you.  It would be like getting advice on thrift from the richest playboy in the world.  Yet the advice is still there.

This brings us to the concept of the inspiration of scripture.  Could Solomon give advice about something he was a failure in?  On one level the response would be, “Are you kidding me?”  On the other level the answer is “Yes.”  The difference is that we read Solomon’s advice with an awareness of what the rest of the Bible tells us.  We read it with an active mind and a sensitive heart.  We read it, trusting that the Holy Spirit can lead us to truth.

So?  Keep your mind active.  Engage the text.  You will find answers that you can depend on.