Proverbs 6:24
to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
to keep you from the evil woman,

God-given wisdom guards the path of life by exposing the danger of sexual sin before desire becomes action. The evil woman is presented as a real adulterous seductress whose conduct opposes God’s design for marriage and threatens the covenant household. Her way also illustrates the broader danger of any temptation that draws the heart from obedience. Proverbs repeatedly warns that adultery brings ruin, dishonor, and death rather than the pleasure it promises (Prov. 2:16–19; 5:3–6).

Pro 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;…
Pro 23:27-28 For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress…
Ecc 7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare…

from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

Her persuasive speech conceals destructive intentions, appealing to desire while hiding the consequences of sin. Scripture frequently portrays flattering and deceitful words as instruments of temptation, requiring discernment rooted in the fear of the Lord. Israel’s idolatry was likewise called adultery because it abandoned covenant faithfulness to the Lord (Jeremiah 3:6–10). Wisdom teaches the believer to reject seductive voices and remain faithful in thought, speech, and conduct, knowing that unchecked desire gives birth to sin and sin leads to death (James 1:14–15).

Pro 2:16-19 It will rescue you from the forbidden woman…
Pro 5:3-8 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey…
Pro 7:21-23 With her great persuasion she entices him;…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Evil Woman
Represents temptation and moral danger, often used metaphorically in Proverbs to symbolize any form of seduction away from righteousness.

2. The Adulteress
Specifically refers to a woman who engages in sexual immorality, but symbolically can represent any form of unfaithfulness or betrayal.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of human nature.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which these proverbs were written, where adherence to God's law was central to community life.

5. Wisdom Literature
A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and moral teachings.
Teaching Points
Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 6:24 emphasizes the importance of protecting oneself from seductive influences. Believers are called to be vigilant and discerning in their interactions and relationships.

The Power of Words
The "smooth tongue" of the adulteress highlights the persuasive power of words. Christians should be cautious of flattery and deceit, seeking truth and integrity in communication.

Pursue Holiness
This verse serves as a reminder to pursue holiness and purity in all aspects of life, aligning actions and thoughts with God's standards.

Accountability and Community
Engaging in a community of believers provides support and accountability, helping individuals resist temptation and grow in righteousness.

Wisdom and Discernment
Seeking God's wisdom through prayer and scripture study equips believers to recognize and avoid moral pitfalls.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Proverbs 6:24 relate to the broader theme of wisdom in the book of Proverbs?

2. In what ways can believers guard their hearts against the "smooth tongue" of temptation in today's world?

3. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-28 expand on the warnings found in Proverbs 6:24?

4. What role does community play in helping individuals resist temptation and pursue holiness?

5. How can the principles in Proverbs 6:24 be applied to areas of life beyond sexual temptation, such as financial or ethical decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 5:3-4
Discusses the allure and danger of the adulteress, emphasizing the bitter consequences of succumbing to temptation.

Matthew 5:27-28
Jesus expands on the concept of adultery, teaching that even lustful thoughts are sinful, highlighting the importance of inner purity.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Paul urges believers to flee from sexual immorality, reminding them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

James 1:14-15
Describes the process of temptation leading to sin and death, underscoring the need for vigilance against seductive influences.
The Sin of UncleannessProverbs 6:24
Exhortation to ChastityE. Johnson Proverbs 6:20-24
Sin and SafetyW. Clarkson Proverbs 6:20-35
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Adulteress, Adventuress, Alien, Evil, Flattery, Foreigner's, Immoral, Preserve, Smooth, Smoothness, Strange, Tongue, Wayward, Wife, Wife's
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 6:24

     5193   tongue
     5842   eloquence

Proverbs 6:20-24

     8313   nurture

Proverbs 6:20-26

     5345   influence

Proverbs 6:20-29

     5276   crime

Proverbs 6:23-24

     6237   sexual sin, nature of

Proverbs 6:23-29

     5714   men

Proverbs 6:24-25

     8299   love, in relationships

Library
The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger,
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Proverbs 6:24 NIV
Proverbs 6:24 NLT
Proverbs 6:24 ESV
Proverbs 6:24 NASB
Proverbs 6:24 KJV

Proverbs 6:24 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 6:23
Top of Page
Top of Page