Proverbs 6:27-28

Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?
Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?
“Don’t play with fire” – my grandmother used to tell me. Fire is one of the most important natural phenomena that man has partially tamed, which greatly contributed to the faster development of mankind. When used correctly, fire is a great blessing, but it is disastrous when it is ‘played’ with it.
The context in which these two sayings are found indicates that something similar happens with our sexuality.

It will keep you from the immoral woman,
from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.
Don’t lust for her beauty.
Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,
but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
Can a man scoop a flame into his lap
and not have his clothes catch on fire?
Can he walk on hot coals
and not blister his feet?
So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife.
He who embraces her will not go unpunished.
Excuses might be found for a thief
who steals because he is starving.
But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole,
even if he has to sell everything in his house.
But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool,
for he destroys himself.
He will be wounded and disgraced.
His shame will never be erased.
Our sexuality, a blessed gift from God that brings life, reduced to mere lust, becomes a stumbling block in this deceitful game with fire. That game leaves far-reaching and disastrous consequences both for the one who played it and for everyone around him.
Father, may your gifts in our lives bring abundance of fruit, blessings and life, not only to us but also to all those with whom we share this life. Lord, have mercy on us and give us wisdom and strength to tame our lusts. (Job 31:1)
Posted in Daily devotionals.