The Cost Of Companionship

So she caught him and kissed him; with an inpudent face she said to him: "I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.  So I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.  I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyption linen.  I hhave perfumed my bed with myrrh and cinnamon.  Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.  For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day."  With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.  Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver.  As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost him his life.  Now therefore, listen to me, my children; pay attentiion to the words of my mouth: Do not let our heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by  her were strong men.  Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7: 13-27 NKJV

It is interesting, when talking with fellow brothers who have fallen into the pit of prostitution and pornography, of just where they were in life when they chose to proceed to allow their lusts overpower them.  For more often than not, that very moment when they fell into this trap, was the very moment when they felt most alone.  Does lonliness cause us to sin, I don't think it's a definate thing, but it can certainly add to the pull of the temptation surrounding us.  Yes, it is ultimately our choice whether we choose to follow these temptations, but when we are at our lonliest moments it is easy to fall victim to them.  It is no secret that our Lord has created us as social beings, desiring the companionship and fellowship of others around us.  So much so, that those who shrug off companionship are seen as odd or not normal.  Of  course, the main reason we were created as social beings was not for the sexual company of others, but for fellowship and relationships.  Of course, over time it is man who has bastardized the sexual union between two people which God intended for the union of marriage between a man and a woman.  With apolagies to those supporters of same sex marriage among us, this WAS NOT the marriage institution which our Lord intended from the begining.  Once again, we instituted our own ways over something which God created.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 NKJV

In Proverbs 7, we see Solomons rather lengthy warning to avoid those who today we would refer to as ""Women of the evening."  That's a whitewashed term, harlot is the one used by Solomon here.  Just as one who is most vulnerable to pornography when they are at their lonliest moment, so it is for those who engage in prostitution.  Lonliness and emptiness leading into sexual immorality.  All for the sake of that feeling of comapnionship with another.  Social beings that we are.  Of course, we all know of the legal and health dangers of engaging in prostitution, but this often takes a back seat to having the company of another, even if for a short time.  And what of the so called "Friend" who provides that companionship we need, but only as long as there is money available?   Call it what you will, it's still prostitution in my book.  Now, we can get into the deeper details of this behavior and break it down into our own selfishness as well.  For who's needs are we ultimately seeking to fulfill when we engage in these behaviors?  I'll give you a hint, it's definately NOT the young lady who's company we are purchasing who's needs we are seeking to satisfy!  If we were truly seeking a "Self for others" relationship, then we most likely wouldn't be seeking to purchase the sexual favors or companionship of another to satisfy our own desires.  No, for typically the relationships we seek in this type of behabvior are simply a "Self for self" relationship which seeks our own needs over that of others.  So tell me, which of these relationships is from God?  It is easy to see why God frowns on this behavior, for it robs us of the true fellowship for which we were created.  Do we need to pay God for His company?   NO!  For our Lord exemplifies that "self for others" spirit.  This is true companionship, where the needs of others outweigh our own desires.

~Scott~