Proverbs 7:25
"Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths."
Most adulterous affairs start out innocently.
Most people don't get married with the idea in mind that they are going to one day commit adultery. Yet, it has become a common thing to hear of people who have fallen into adultery. These people who fall into adultery didn't realize that some of their innocent actions are what led to the emotional ties that led to adultery.
In the verse above, a father warns his son not to go astray in the paths of the strange woman. The strange woman is simply any person of the opposite gender to whom you are not married. Very simply, any lady who is not my wife is a strange woman to me. I should treat them in such manner so that I don't get too close to them. Most adulterous affairs are not with unknown people, but they are with people whom someone knows and works around on a daily basis.
You will notice that the father talks about the heart in the first part of the verse. In other words, he was warning his son not to let the "innocent" actions of the strange woman cause his heart to go astray. He was warning him not to take her actions seriously. Many actions of the strange person may not initially be meant to lure someone away, but they can become wrong when we let our heart take things the wrong way. Let me show you some of the "innocent" actions of which you must be wary.
First, Proverbs 7:5 talks about the "stranger which flattereth with her words." Flattery is more than just praising someone about someone, but it is an excessive praise with ulterior motives. You must be careful about being too complimentary of the opposite gender. Likewise, you must watch out for the opposite gender who is constantly praising you. Their flattery will lead you down a hurtful pathway to lure you away from your spouse.
Second, availability to the opposite gender is a dangerous action. Verse 8 talks about the simple man seeing this woman on a street corner. It is dangerous when someone of the opposite gender is available to do things for you that they won't do for their own spouse. Their responsibility is to their spouse. Watch out for those who are always around you wanting to know if they can do something for you. Furthermore, be very careful about spending a lot of time with someone of the opposite gender. Familiarity will break down walls that should not be broken down.
Third, indecency is a dangerous action. Verse 10 shows us this woman dressed indecently. When the opposite gender is not afraid to be indecent around you, then you must get away from them as quickly as you can. One reason you should be decent at all times is because you don't want to be one who is considered forward in your dress.
Fourth, extra generosity is also a very dangerous action. Verse 14 talks about the "peace offerings" of the strange woman. When someone of the opposite gender is very generous with you and not with others, then that should be a sign that you need to get away from that person. There is nothing wrong with generosity, but there is something wrong when they are extra generous with you.
Many of these actions one does may seem innocent, but you must watch out that you don't take these things to heart. These "innocent" actions can lead to adultery. Many of these "innocent" actions truly are not so innocent. Watch out for these actions and keep yourself close to your spouse. Keep your marriage strong so that these "innocent" actions are not taken to heart. When you take these actions to heart, then you have started down the wrong pathway.