Our parents always warn us not to play with fire. The reason being he that plays with fire will get burned by fire. Solomon is warning every man about playing with temptations. He is saying that every man who plays with temptation puts himself directly in the way that leads naturally to the sin and will suffer the consequence for it.
Solomon uses the analogy of playing with fire: “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? (Pro 6:27-28).
On this particular instance, he is again warning his son (and it includes all young men for all generations) about the adulteress woman. He discusses sexual sins from verse 24 through the remainder of the chapter. He pleads with the young man to listen to the advice and instruction of his parents on this matter (verse 20-23). He says the commandments of the parents are good: “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” (verses 24-25). Of course, these instructions apply to young women as well.
Sexual sins seem to be often the topmost concern in Solomon’s mind. Who is better qualified to address adultery than Solomon? (1 Kings 11:1-6). By keeping on reminding the young man to listen to his parents, he is saying that he should have listened to his father about the whorish women on this matter too. But he did not and went after many foreign women.
Solomon’s father, King David, was guilty of the sin of adultery and his life and family was destroyed as a result of this sin. David’s lustful desire for Bathsheba brought shame on his family. It destroyed his family. He would have warned his children, including Solomon, about lusting after beautiful women. But Solomon did not take heed and lusted after many women. He suffered for it. Now he is warning his son. Will he listen? Will you?
He tells his son that the sin of adultery will burn his life as surely as fire in your bosom will burn his clothing. It will burn anyone who plays with it too. We can see the consequences of the sexual sins recorded throughout the Bible. But many men will not listen and still fall prey to a seductive woman. Divorce caused by sexual misconduct is an everyday occurrence, resulting in shame and broken home. And children suffer as a result when the parents are divorced. The moral and social fabric of society is affected as a result.
But the warning of playing with fire should not be limited to only sexual sins. There are other sins which are as damaging to the family and society as sexual sins. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, and any kinds of addiction destroy oneself, family and affects society as a whole.
If alcohol is a problem, then do not allow it in the home. Do not frequent the places where it is sold and do not associate with those who drink. If it is drug abuse, do not touch it or be associated with anyone with uses it. If it is gambling, do not enter the casino or go near the lottery counter. If the problem is computer games, delete the installations in your computer or phones and change your habits – go out and run, play and swim.
Overcoming sin is a difficult task and it requires great effort on our part. It will not go away just because we wish it. We have to stay far away from it: “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Pro 4:15). We have to run away from it: “Flee fornication” (1 Cor 6:18; see also 2 Tim 2:22).
We are so accustomed to the lifestyle of this world that we do not see the dangers that accompany sin. When we get close to sin, we are looking for trouble. Therefore Solomon warns: Don’t play with fire!
Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.