Husband and Wife Draw Water From Their WellBible World
5:15Proverbs 5:15
Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Proverbs 5:15 belongs to instruction meant to fill the mind so that young men can resist sexual temptation, warning against snares that foster and arouse sexual passion. It stands in a part of the chapter that warns both men and women against condemned sins, whose instruction is to take hold of the heart. Together with the verses that follow it to verses 18-19, it teaches that a husband is to find delight and satisfaction in his own wife, and that perfect happiness in marriage is possible through faithful love in which each gives and receives.
Such faithful union becomes an overflowing fountain, a wellspring of joy whose shared influence blesses others around them. The marriage bond needs no other partner. It is harmed when affection is diverted toward another woman, even when she is admired or the connection is considered lawful.
Spiritually applied, each person must draw living water from his own well through close, personal communion with Christ. Another person's faith or testimony cannot take its place, and dependence on others for revival proves ultimately unsatisfactory. Self-pleasing corrupts the inner fountain, but digging away selfishness allows pure, life-giving words and righteous acts to flow out from the life to refresh others.
Proverbs 5:15 belongs to instruction meant to fill the mind so that young men can resist sexual temptation, warning against snares that foster and arouse sexual passion. It stands in a part of the chapter that warns both men and women against condemned sins, whose instruction is to take hold of the heart. Together with the verses that follow it to verses 18-19, it teaches that a husband is to find delight and satisfaction in his own wife, and that perfect happiness in marriage is possible through faithful love in which each gives and receives.
Such faithful union becomes an overflowing fountain, a wellspring of joy whose shared influence blesses others around them. The marriage bond needs no other partner. It is harmed when affection is diverted toward another woman, even when she is admired or the connection is considered lawful.
Spiritually applied, each person must draw living water from his own well through close, personal communion with Christ. Another person's faith or testimony cannot take its place, and dependence on others for revival proves ultimately unsatisfactory. Self-pleasing corrupts the inner fountain, but digging away selfishness allows pure, life-giving words and righteous acts to flow out from the life to refresh others.