You know how to finish that sentence, right? You are going to get burned! Did you know that the concept comes from the Bible?
Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? (Proverbs 6:27-28, New International Version)
No one—apart from those with serious pathology—sets out to get burned. It is not something to be desired. Yet, we often have a desire to get as close as possible; maybe even play with it a little bit. You know … throw a little more lighter fluid or paper on it to make the flames bigger … throw a few firecrackers in it (so I have heard) to make some noise … see how close we can get before the extreme heat forces us back …
The immediate context of this passage from Proverbs is adultery. The next verse says, “So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.” (6:29)
But there is a principle that extends beyond the context: Anytime we choose deliberate disobedience to God, we are playing with fire. Certainly people have been burned by marital unfaithfulness. They’ve also been burned by gossip, uncontrolled anger, selfishness, lies … the list could go on and on (and it does).
Fire is not intended to be scooped into the lap. It only serves its purpose when kept at a proper distance and used for good purposes. Who has not been warmed by the love of a faithful spouse, the encouraging words of friends, the protection of one who stands strong with us, the power of truth … that list goes on and on as well.
Question: What strategies are helpful to you in keeping you from walking too close to the flame of disobedience to God?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your perspective.
