“Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.”
King Lemuel’s mom was worried about him chasing loose women—a legitimate concern for any parent, especially those who want their child to be the best version of themselves. I would go further and say that pursuing anything life-draining rather than life-giving is a bad idea and won’t bring glory to God. This list can be long and very personal; what might drain the life of God from me could be different for you. In this verse, she specifically addresses things that destroy kings. Matthew Poole explains that the phrase “your strength” refers to “the vigor of your mind and body, which is greatly impaired by inordinate lusts, as all physicians agree, and frequent experience shows.” When we give our time, attention, and especially our desires to anything that doesn’t help us grow as followers of God, we forfeit the ability to pursue Kingdom priorities and God’s plan for us, at least temporarily. Today, pursue the things of God. #BeTheEdge
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
