Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Proverbs 9:17 (KJV)

I was once discussing with a friend, who was admonishing me concerning being faithful in a big step that I was about to take back then. I jokingly replied with the words below:

You know it is sometimes sweeter to eat a stolen food than eat the food you cook yourself.

Have you ever taken something of value which did not belong to you? How did you feel when you used it? It comes with a feeling of bonus, or a sense of smartness; a kind of mischievous satisfaction comes with stealing from someone else something of value.

A very simple example is this. While growing up, you have once been served food, but your meat seemed smaller than that of your sibling, then you deceptively or secretly swapped the meat so you can eat the bigger one. When eating it, there's this sense of pride and satisfaction that your operation was a success. Another is that when you fraudulently take hold of funds that are meant for other people, you see it as free money, one that you did not work for. You therefore spend it lavishly, enjoying life at its peak.

In the same vein, as a man, having sexual knowledge of someone who is not your wife (probably a girlfriend, a hooker, a casual friend, etc) could seem more adventurous and satisfying than the wife you are used to. Whenever you have these kinds of feelings, know that it is also established in God's word that it is. However, you have a duty to hold on to what is RIGHT, not what is SWEET or more beneficial.

Although stolen waters are sweet, decide not to steal, because the Lord detests it. Laundering of public funds may be enticing, but the Lord frowns at it. Cheating your friend or neighbour may feel like a smart move, but would you rather trade your integrity for a euphemeral thing? God forbid!

For righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people...