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Burning Coals

June 15, 2008
Burning hot coals

My family sat around a bonfire a few nights ago. After several hours, the fire died down, and Mom took the little ones inside to prepare for bed. I stayed behind with my 12-year-old son in order to secure the fire. He began poking the bed of coals, causing the coals to glow redder and redder. As I stared into the red-hot embers, I remembered a Scripture found in Proverbs 6, and I asked my son, “Could you take one of those burning sticks and hold it in your lap?” He, of course, answered that he could not because he would catch fire. Then I asked him, “Could you walk on the coals?” Again he replied, “No, my feet would be burned.” So, standing there in the dark, staring into the glowing coals, I quoted the passage and took the opportunity to teach my son that God says when a man takes a woman who is not his wife, he will be burned, and the dishonor will follow him for the rest of his life. I am trying to prepare my son for the temptations he will face in just five or six years. I believe that impromptu teaching like this will make a difference when the time comes.

Proverbs 6: 23-33

“For the commandment is a lamp;  and the law is light; and reproof of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread:  and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding:  he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get;  and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”

Ps 111:10

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

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