During the course of the Pittsburgh Pirate ballgame we attended on Saturday, we became aware of a scene taking place before our eyes that could have been right out of the book of Proverbs. A woman seated down one row across from us was making a play for the usher in our section—a man wearing a wedding ring and probably somewhat older than she.

She found repeated reasons to motion for him to come to her seat and squat down to talk to her, once putting her face close to his and taking a selfie of them. At one point, Miss Seductress asked Mr. U a question, and I heard him mention his wife. I think he was trying to make a point that he was married, but this didn’t deter Miss S.

I cycle through the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon repeatedly, along with my other Bible reading, and am presently in Proverbs. As I watched the scenario taking place, Proverbs Seven came to mind. Beginning in verse six,  Soloman looks out the window of his house and watches a young man being seduced by a woman dressed like a prostitute.

By verse 21, he says, “With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk…”

When Mr. U squatted beside Miss S, it was impossible for me to see the batter and the pitcher on the playing field, and it was impossible not to see what was taking place across the aisle as I attempted to watch the game. (Ironic that this was the same usher who asked me to wait to go back to my seat until the next batter when I returned from the restroom so that I wouldn’t distract the fans!)

Finally, I’d had enough. I leaned across the aisle and said, “It’s very hard for me to watch the game when you’re squatting there.”

Mr. U made an attempt to scrunch down further, then realized he was still in my way. He got up and moved back to his standard position which took him out of my line of vision and away from Miss S.

A little while later, Mr. U walked back through the aisle, and Miss S again got his attention. “Hey, I’ll see you tomorrow!”

Mr. U looked startled, and she said, “No, I’m serious. I’ll see you tomorrow!”

I don’t know if Mr. U answered, but he continued walking. When the game ended a few minutes later and we headed back in the direction he had gone, he had disappeared—hopefully avoiding any further interaction with Miss S.

My heart was heavy as I remembered the woman’s words, “No, I’m serious. I’ll see you tomorrow.”  Would she return the next day to continue her pursuit? Because there’s no doubt she was pursuing him, mentioning his wife hadn’t meant anything to her. If she came back, would he rebuff her efforts or would he follow the example of the young man in Proverbs Seven, verse 23?

All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

This incident reminded me of something that took place many years ago when we lived in Penn Hills. I can’t remember all the details but our anniversary coincided with some sort of celebration to which employees and their wives were invited. I agreed to celebrate our anniversary there since Donn felt it was important for us to go.

We hadn’t been seated long when it became obvious that the wife of one of the other employees, seated on the other side of Donn, was openly flirting with him. The fact that this was our anniversary made this even more upsetting. In due time, Donn squarely turned his back to the woman, turning completely in my direction, making it impossible for her to communicate with him.

Although that incident took place many years ago, I’ve never forgotten that without saying a word, Donn sent a clear message to the woman seated beside him, and a clear message to me as well, that he wouldn’t play her game.

I pray that Mr. U would have the courage to send a clear message to Miss S, if she returns, that he will not play her game. He’s in a difficult position of needing to serve the people in his section, but he needs to find a way to draw the line before things go any further.

Different things are tempting to different people, and each of us need to recognize our own weaknesses. Being pursued by a younger woman can be a huge temptation for a man. For a woman, an affair that begins with deep emotional sharing can progress to a physical one. Recognize what tempts you and “sit at the door” to put a stop to anything that tries to enter there, lest you find out as did the young man in Proverbs seven that it will cost you your life.

I want to leave you with a final word from Proverbs 4:23. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  

Father, please teach us to guard our hearts so that we won’t be seduced by the enemy in any form. Amen.