Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. (Son - Pr 1:8; 3:1)(Keep - Lk 8:15; 11:28; Jn 14:23; 15:20; Re 1:3; 22:9) (Treasure - Pr 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 10:14; Deut 11:28; Job 22:22)

My son - An introductory phrase used  23 times in Proverbs (these are worth studying - hold pointer over reference) - Pr 1:8, 1:10, 1:15, 2:1, 3:1, 3:11, 3:21, 4:10, 4:20, 5:1, 5:20, 6:1, 6:3, 6:20, 7:1, 19:27, 23:15, 23:19, 23:26, 24:13, 24:21, 27:11, 31:2.

Proverbs 7 in dramatic and vivid language describes how a naive young man falls into the trap of the adulteress and we do well to take careful note of the steps that lead to his destruction, lest we fall into a similar trap (Don't say "That could never happen to me!" - See 1Co 8:2, 10:12, Pr 16:18)

For the third time n Proverbs 5-7, Solomon prefaces his warnings about sexual impropriety with a call to pay attention to the Word of God (Pr 5:1, 2; 7, 8, Pr 6:20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25; Pr 7:1, 2, 3, 4, 5). The Truth of God's Word heard and heeded is like a mighty buttress to keep us from believing the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil that the "grass is greener" on the other side of the fence. Remember that "lust" begins with our thoughts (and images that convey thoughts) and that the best defense is a good offense, taking in Truth to counter and expose the Lie. I pray Solomon's warnings and explanation of the danger encourage each of us as men to fight the good fight of faith. Amen.

The Word of God is not just our offensive weapon but it is our shield, Solomon writing that...

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. (Pr 30:5, cp Ps 119:9, 11)

Keep (Hebrew = shamar; Lxx = phulasso) - Command to guard, to be on one's guard, to take heed, to watch over carefully. For example, Adam and Eve were to watch over (keep = shamar) and care for the Garden of Eden where the Lord God had placed them (Ge 2:15). Solomon is charging us to carefully watch over God's word, a charge which is always relevant, but which is strategically important if we as godly men are to keep our feet from stumbling into sexual immorality in this increasing ungodly age.

Treasure (Hebrew = tsaphan) - Command to hide, store up. What do you treasure and hide or store up? That which you greatly value! Do you value the Word of God as precious to your life, even more valuable than your necessary food. The sorely afflicted OT saint Job did, declaring...

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured (same Hebrew verb tsaphan) the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12-note)

Comment: I would submit in fact that this declaration by Job gives us a very important "clue" as to how this saint was able to endure and persevere such incredible trials - see the study discussing this premise.

In a similar use of the Hebrew verb treasure (tsaphan) the writer of Psalm 119 linked the treasuring of God's holy word with a life of holiness and purity...

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (Spurgeon note)
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. (Spurgeon note)
11 Your word I have treasured (tsaphan) in my heart, that I may not sin against You (Spurgeon note). (Ps 119:9, 10, 11)

I like what John Piper says in his practical message on Thy Word I Have Treasured in my Heart...

I believe that the Bible teaches us to memorize scripture the way an ant gathers food in summer: because it is so valuable and will be needed in the winter months. “[The ant] prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:8). Memorizing scripture is not a discipline for its own sake. It is because the scriptures are a treasure and will be needed before the day is done to help you escape a sinful attitude and live a life that glorifies God. (Dr Piper's message is highly recommended for the equipping of God's men in the battle with the lusts of our flesh - I would encourage you if you have time to listen to the audio Mp3 version as it is even better than the transcript - Transcript = Thy Word I Have Treasured in my Heart; or the Mp3 Audio Version)

Within you - Don't miss the implication of the little Hebrew preposition 'eth which is translated within. (Lxx = para = beside which can speak of closeness or in one's presence). The Hebrew preposition 'eth indicates an even closer proximity than another Hebrew preposition (im) also translated "with".

The TWOT has this note on 'eth...

To return to the basic meaning “with,” this preposition is used frequently in a particular theological context. This is (a) in the promises of God to man: “I am/will be with you”; (b) affirmations from man that God is indeed with them; (c) prayers of petition that God may be with them. The Scripture then is replete with the idea that God calls His people to fellowship with Himself, be it in the garden of Eden, in the odyssey of an Abraham, in a covenant situation at Sinai, in the tabernacle, in a wilderness, crossing a Jordan, entering a Canaan, and so forth. At this point we should observe that the NT is no different. It is Mark (Mark 3:13, 14, 15) who tells us that Jesus’ primary reason for calling the twelve was “that they might be with him.” The call to fellowship always precedes the call to service. (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) 

Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye.   (Keep - Pr 4:13; Lev 18:5; Is 55:3; Jn 12:49,50; 14:21; 15:14; 1Jn 2:3,4; 5:1, 2, 3; Re 22:14) (Apple - Deut 32:10; Ps 17:8; Zech 2:8)

Keep...live - Observe that both verbs are commands.  God is commanding us to guard or give heed His commandments and to live! Solomon is not just referring to living physically but really living (in Jesus' words) the abundant life (Jn 10:10, cp references on life - 2Ti 1:1, Col 3:4-note, 2Co 4:10, 11, Jn 20:31, 14:19, 1Jn 5:11, 12, 13) as our Creator meant it to be lived on the highest plane, as Christ lived while He trod sod and which is possible for all believers who will but surrender (yield, submit, trust and obey) to the power of the Spirit of Christ (Gal 5:16-note), Who alone can facilitate, motivate and empower a life of holiness (cp Php 2:12, 13 - see notes Php 2:12; 13).

In Deuteronomy (just before Israel was to enter the promised land) Moses linked the hearing and heeding of God's Word with real life and with blessing...

(Moses) said to them, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully (i.e., obey, cp Lk 11:28, James 1:22, 23, 24, 25-see notes), even all the words of this law. 47 For it (the words of this law) is not an idle (empty, vain) word for you; indeed it (the word) is your life. (You might want to read Moses' explanation again!) And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess (blessings for obedience to the Word)." (Deut 32:46, 47)

This command to keep my commandments is similar to that given by Paul to Timothy...

Retain (present imperative = command calling for this to be a way of life, our continual, habitual practice) the standard (see word study) of sound (hugiaino  = "healthy") words which you have heard from me, (How can we retain this standard?) in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (Thus we need to continually abide in His Word, abide in the Vine if we would be enabled with faith and love He provides through His indwelling Spirit). (2Ti 1:13 - note)

As the apple - (figurative of course = simile) The idea of this figurative comparison is that the teaching like the pupil of the eye is necessary for sight and must be assiduously kept from injury. The pupil was considered by the ancients to be a sphere like an apple.

Semantic Domains says that 'iyshown (apple) is...

 the black center of the eyeball, tender and important part of sight (Dt 32:10; Ps 17:8; Pr 20:20), note: NIV translates as “apple (of the eye)” not as a reference to fruit, but the English idiom of what is precious and cherished

The point is that even as the pupil is a symbol of a most precious thing which is carefully protected, so too we are to give constant attentiveness and care to the teaching (cf. Dt 32:10). We are to guard these teachings because they give spiritual and moral sight.

In the context of Solomon's mini-seminar on "How to Keep from Sexual Immorality", it is notable that sexual sin often begins with undisciplined eyes and hands (Mt 5:27, 28, 29, 30). As alluded to elsewhere the real problem is the problem of the heart.

TSK writes - As the pupil of the eye, the hole or the opening of the uveous coat, or iris, through which the rays of light pass, and falling upon the retina, there depict every object in its natural colour, as upon a piece of white paper. Now the pupil of the eye being essentially necessary to sight, and easily injured, it is not only, in common with the other parts, deeply entrenched in the skull, ramparted with the forehead and cheek bones, defended by the eyebrows, eyelids, and eyelashes, and placed so as to be best protected by the hands, but, by a wonderful mechanism, is contracted or dilated by the muscular power of the iris, without which an excess of light would cause instant blindness. (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge)

Proverbs 7:3 Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
(Deut 11:18, 19, 20; Is 30:8; Je 17:1; 31:33; 2Co 3:3)

Bind them - (Hebrew = qashar = of literal binding, but here figurative, cp souls of David and Jonathan in 1Sa 18:1) This command is a common metaphor in the OT emphasizing the vital importance and absolute necessity to hold fast to the faithful (Titus 1:9-note) commandments and teaching of God. All four of the following parallel passages use qashar for bind.

Proverbs 3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 6:21 Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck (Ed: not to "choke" you but to give you life!).

Deuteronomy 6:8 "And you shall bind (perfect tense) them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 "And you shall write (perfect tense) them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 11:18 "You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind (perfect tense) them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 19 "And you shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. 20 "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

Proverbs 7:4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call (imperfect tense) understanding your intimate friend (Say - Pr 2:2, 3, 4; 4:6, 7, 8) (You - Job 17:14; Song 8:1; Mt 12:49,50; Lk 11:27,28)

Wisdom...sister...understanding...intimate friend - Pictures the close attachment we are to maintain with wisdom and understanding. Be in continual contact with them even as you frequently get in touch with your relative or close friend.

Intimate friend is used only one other place in the OT - Ruth 2:1 "kinsman".

F B Meyer - Our Daily Homily  -This wisdom might seem to be too unearthly and ethereal to engage our passionate devotion, unless we remember that she was incarnated in Jesus Christ, who, throughout this book, seems forthshadowed in the majestic conception of wisdom. And who shall deny that the most attractive and lovable traits blended in his matchless character as Son of Man and exalted Redeemer.

With what sensitive purity He bent his face to the ground and wrote on the dust, when her accusers brought to Him a woman taken in the act of sin! With what thoughtfulness He sent word to Peter that he was risen, and provided the meal for his weary and wave-drenched sailor friends on the shores of the lake! With what quick intuition He read Mary’s desire to anoint Him for the burying!

Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep you from an adulteress *, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24)

To preserve thee from a strange woman, from a stranger who hath made smooth her sayings. (Young's Literal)

What guards one from an adulteress (strange woman)? Godly wisdom and understanding. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge or the ability to think and act utilizing knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge. Note that it is not enough to have knowledge but it must work itself out in wise living (wisdom).  Wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good.

In his letter to the Colossians Paul writes that...

we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (Why? Read on) 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14-see notes)

Adulteress (literally a "woman who is a stranger", ESV = forbidden woman) - This English word is the translation of 2 Hebrew words, one the generic word for woman (ishshah) coupled with the Hebrew verb zur which means to be a stranger (from literal meaning of to turn aside as for lodging, but also can mean to go astray). The ESV picks up on the fact that there are 2 words

TWOT writes that the verb zur

is principally used in the participial form, zār, appearing sixty-nine times. It carries the force of a noun, and is so listed by KB. It is used for some action strange to the law (Lev 10:1), and for one who is a stranger to another household (Deut 25:5), to another person (Pr 14:10), and to another land (Ho 7:9). The basic thought is of non-acquaintance or non-relatedness. The feminine form, “The Strange Woman,” often in Prov is the adulteress. (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) 

Here are the uses of zur in Proverbs - Pr. 2:16; 5:3, 10, 17, 20; 6:1; 7:5; 11:15; 14:10; 20:16; 22:14; 23:33; 27:2, 13

Foreigner - In Proverbs, foreigner or "foreign woman" refers to a prostitute or an adulteress. See other uses Pr 2:16, 5:10, 5:20, 6:24, 7:5, 23:27, 27:13.

Flatters with her words (ESV = "smooth words") - It is notable that the idea of "smooth" words is repeatedly associated with an adulteress. (Pr 2:16, 6:24, 7:5). Here's the point guys, be careful when someone other than your wife flatters you with "smooth" words!

Seneca wrote that...

The voice of the flatterer stays long in the ear.

Unfortunately Benjamin Disraeli was correct when he mused...

Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for hours.

Flatters (02505) (chalaq) - means to be smooth, creamy, slippery, i.e., pertaining to a state or condition of a moist, viscous food, which is therefore easy to swallow. Webster says that to flatter is  to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest. Flattery is praise insincerely given for an interested purpose.

The 1828 Noah Webster's dictionary has a great definition of flattery as...

to please a person by applause or favorable notice, by respectful attention, or by any thing that exalts him in his own estimation, or confirms his good opinion of himself.

Flattery is like chewing gum—enjoy it briefly, but don’t swallow it! Flattery is the art of telling a person exactly what he thinks of himself.

The one who flatters is like a bee which has honey in his mouth and a sting in his tail.

Thomas Brooks rightly said that

Flattery is the devil's invisible net.

George Chapman described flatterers this way...

Flatterers look like friends as wolves look like dogs.

TWOT says that chalaq/halaq is a verb which...

refers once to the literal process of smoothing metal to make an idol by hitting it on an anvil with a forge hammer (Is 41:7). Its principal use (Qal and Hiphil) is of smooth speech or flattery, i.e. words which were smoother than butter and like oil (Ps 55:21). This use of the tongue is always condemned (Ps 5:9) and ends in the speaker being himself entrapped (Pr 29:5). It is characteristic of the seductive woman who is to be avoided (Pr 2:16; 7:5). The enigmatic man who “flatters himself in his own eyes” (Ps 36:2) may possibly be better translated, “His God will destroy him with a glance when he uncovers his impious slander” (cf. Dahood, M. “Psalms” I, AB, p. 271), taking this from halaq III “perish.” Ugaritic hlq “perish” is parallel to mt “die” (UT 19: no. 969) and Akkadian halāqu “disappear.” “Their heart is divided” (Ho 10:2 KJV) is better taken as “is false” (RSV) that is, figurative of the fickle heart. (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press)  (Bolding added)

Proverbs 7:6 For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, (Ge 26:8; 2Sa 6:16)

Solomon speaks in the first person as if he had witnessed the lurid drama which he proceeds to describe.

Proverbs 7:7 And I saw among the naive, and discerned among the youths a young man lacking sense, (Naive - Pr 1:4,22,32; 8:5; 14:15,18; 19:25; 22:3; 27:12; Ps 19:7; 119:130; Ro 16:18,19 ) (Youths - Pr 6:32; 9:4,16; 10:13; 12:11; 19:2; 24:30; Je 4:22; Mt 15:16)

Naive (KJV = simple ones) (06612) (pethiy) is related to a verb which conveys the basic idea of to be open, spacious, wide. When applied to persons as in this verse it describes the immature or simple man who is open to all kinds of enticement, not having developed a discriminating judgment (see Pr 5:2 discretion that comes from Pr 5:1) as to what is right or wrong. Most of the OT uses are in Proverbs  (Ps 19:7; 116:6; 119:130; Pr. 1:4, 22, 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4, 6, 16; 14:15, 18; 19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12; Ezek 45:20)

Spurgeon aptly described such a naive young man when he quipped...

None but the silliest of geese would go to the fox's sermon

As used in Proverbs naive designates the opposite of a moral man. It does not mean a simpleton in our sense of the term, but a sinner, a rascal. Proverbs has a message of morality for the wicked.

TWOT writes that if the pethiy...

refuses to learn he will go on to inherit folly (the impairment of moral and spiritual values, Pr 14:18). To achieve moral and spiritual maturity, the naive are encouraged to receive prudence (Pr 1:4), to understand wisdom (Pr 8:5), and to dwell where wisdom makes her home (Pr 9:4). Otherwise, he may drift into temptation and then sin, immorality (Pr 7:7f.), robbery and murder (Pr 1:10, 11, 12, 13, 14). Apart from godly tutelage, he is on the road to death (Pr 7:7; 22:3). (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) 

A naive person is  deficient in worldly experience, worldly wisdom or informed judgment (gullible, "wet behind the ears")

Discerned (0995) (biyn) conveys the primary ideas of understanding or insight (cp Ps 19:12, 73:17) and discernment is the closely related meaning. It is not a description merely of data accumulation but of superior knowledge, knowledge that in some contexts implies the distinguishing between good and evil (1Ki 3:9)

Youths - Henry Scougal captured the essence of youths when he said...

Youth is a time of life wherein we have too much pride to be governed by others, and too little wisdom to govern ourselves.

A young man - Old men don't think you are immune! You know you are not for the passions of the young are ever the vices of the old! (the "dirty old men"!)

Lacking (02638) (chacer) means in need of, in want of, needy, lacking.  It is used primarily, however, in reference to the lack of wisdom and understanding. Thus it occurs most frequently in the wisdom literature and primarily in Proverbs. (1Sa 21:15; 2Sa. 3:29; 1Ki. 11:22; Pr 6:32; 7:7; 9:4, 16; 10:13, 21; 11:12; 12:9, 11; 15:21; 17:18; 24:30; 28:16; Eccl 6:2)

Sense (03820) (leb) describes the inner man, heart. In other words it refers either to the inner or immaterial nature in general of a person or to one of the three traditional personality functions of man, the emotion, the thought, or the will.

Pr 6:32 The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it.

Pr 9:4 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks understanding she (not an adulteress but Wisdom) says,

Pr 9:16 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," And to him who lacks understanding she (the woman of folly who is boisterous) says,

Proverbs 7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he takes the way to her house, (Pr 4:14,15; 5:8; Jdg 16:1; 2Sa 11:2,3; 1Co 6:18; 2Ti 2:22; Jude 1:23)

Takes the way to her house - He was already being carried away and enticed by his own lust that came from his fallen flesh (James 1:14- see note). He is fleeing to rather than fleeing from. “Fleeing immorality” (1Co 6:18) starts by not being in the strange woman's neighborhood at night!

This naive young man would have done well to read and heed an earlier proverb...

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on. (Pr 4:14,15) (Red = commands)

How could the youth have experienced victory over sexual immorality? His first step toward her house was his mistake and as he came closer, his way of escape, his window of opportunity (cp "the [specific] way of escape" - don't refuse it or ignore it! - 1Co 10:13), markedly decreased, so that it his lust was well on its way to conceiving and bringing forth sin.

What happens when we cannot avoid the place of temptation? The story of Joseph in Genesis 39:1-23 illustrates this situation and the necessary action.  Notice that in Ge 39:11 Joseph went into the house to do business (in contrast to the naive youth who went toward the temptation to see what might transpire). In Genesis 39 we read...

So [Potiphar] left everything he owned in Joseph's charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance...Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work (Joseph was not "looking for sin" or "making a provision" for the lusts of his flesh - see Ro 13:14 - note), and none of the men of the household was there inside. 12 And [Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph and] caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" And he left his garment in her hand and fled (cp Pr 1:15, 5:8, 6:5, Eccl 7:26, 1Co 15:33), and went outside. (Ge 39:6,11,12) (Note: Hebrew word "flee" is translated in the Septuagint by the verb pheugo which is also used in Paul's command to Timothy below)

Paul instructed young Timothy...

Now flee (present imperative = command calling for this to be a way of life, our continual, habitual practice) from youthful lusts (epithumia = strong desires in context desires for evil, for gratification, thus originating from our fallen flesh) and pursue (present imperative) righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2Ti 2:22 - see note)

Comment: Note that the verb flee (pheugo) means to move quickly from a point or area in order to avoid presumed danger or difficulty, seeking safety by flight, running hastily from danger. Don’t entertain them, rationalize them, negotiate with them, try to challenge them or try and endure them. If you have the idea that you will just "test yourself" on this one to see if you can stand against it (You cannot! At least not in your own strength! cp 1Co 10:12), beware for this approach has made many a man or a woman fall into sin. Instead, run for your spiritual life! Run to godly virtues which are an amazingly powerful preventative for ungodly temptations. And seek fellowship and accountability with other men who are disciplining themselves for godliness ()

Dwight Edwards reminds us...