The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer "SPEAR the rod, you spoil the child" is a popular proverb often recited by Bahamian parents in defence of scolding their children. The adage suggests that parents who neglect to punish their children run the risk of having them go astray. Written in the book of Proverbs are many insightful sayings that contain wisdom and knowledge for everyday life. Not all proverbs are easy to understand, so Tribune Religion pulled a few out to further investigate the meaning in a new series. "THE lips of an adulterous woman drips honey and her speech is smoother than oil. But in the end she is bitter than gall". Although this proverb warns against committing adultery, it also encourages Christian believers not to fall weak to the enticing nature of temptation and sin. Warnings against married people engaging in extra-marital affairs are scattered throughout the Bible. Proverbs 5:3 is just one of the admonitions that speak directly to the issue of adultery. "Adultery disintegrates the family and causes mistrust to exist within the family. It may be sweet for that time, but it will cause a great deal of bitterness. It affects both partners, the children and the entire household. No good can actually come from it because gall is bitter and there is nothing sweet about it," said Bishop Gilbert Thompson of the Anglican Diocese. In the scripture a man is being addressed, however it applies to both men and women falling weak to the lustful desires of their hearts, Pastor Matthew Allen told Tribune Religion. "The speech of this woman is so enticing. The adulterous woman knows how to stroke the ego of a man and so she lures him in. And before he knows it he is doomed for destruction. Though a man is being addressed women and men can take something from it," he said. Sherman, a member of the Methodist church, said: "It has nothing much to do with a man or woman, or adultery. Proverbs are not always straight forward or crystal clear. It takes reading between the lines. Without abandoning the fact that adultery is wrong, trying to seduce someone, and fornicating is equally bad as well. So this proverb goes beyond cheating and adultery. It speaks more than that and Christians just should be more aware and not fall easily." Bishop Thompson said the underlying message of the proverb speaks to a general principle when it comes to sin. Sin presents itself as a sweet thing. "If you really think about it, sin is very enticing. Take for example the life of a drug dealer. They saw something so good about that lifestyle that made them want to get involved in it. They probably saw the flashy cars, or the stacks of money, the nice houses, and all of the expensive jewelry. "All of those things appear sweet and it is easy to fall for things like that when you are broke and have no money. You get involved in the lifestyle and for several years things are good, but eventually that life leads to destruction. It is sweet, but the good taste wears off and you become tormented because of your dirty deeds," said Cyril, a Baptist believer.