Out of the heart - Proverbs 7

Proverbs 7 is a very important chapter in Proverbs and in the Bible. The chapter gives us insight into the problem with man and the solution from God. The solution is stated first and last like parenthetical brackets around what is a compelling story of innocence lost and evil attempting to triumphant. Solomon makes an argument for watching over your heart in Proverbs 4:3 and states the reason for our diligence of heart monitoring is because the "springs" of life flow from it. Apparently the heart is a big deal to Solomon. Up to chapter seven he has used the word almost 15 times in the preceding chapters. In chapter seven he uses it three more times translated heart a couple more times as a derivative of the same word. Solomon may have actually observed a young man like the one mentioned in chapter seven when he was looking through the window of his house. He sees the young man and can notice from a considerable distance that this young man is weak in his heart (7:7 ... the words "senses" is the same word as "heart" in 7:3 ... it means the inner man). It is because of this lack of "heart" (strength in the inner man) that the young man is lead astray by the "outward" enticements of the women of the night. Solomon tells us to strengthen our heart (7:3) like Paul tells us to strengthen our inner man (Eph. 3:16; 2 Cor. 4:16). The temptations of life are from the outside to gain victory over the inside. The solution is to strengthen the inside with the meditation and concentration and focus on His Word. Note that Solomon tells them to attach God's word to the fingers; make it the center of their eye; call it a dear sister; make it your intimate friend; write them on the heart. God's word builds up the inner man while the tempter leads astray by the fine linen and sweet smell of the senses. Don't let the senses rule, make the inner man ... the heart ... strong.