Playing with Fire

Whoever plays with fire will eventually get burned. Ancient Proverb

Dad and Uncle Bill were mere lads of about 8 and 10 on a boring Sunday afternoon some years ago. They were looking for something to do when they hit upon the idea of teasing one of their Dad's rams. If you have never teased a ram then you will not understand this lesson as readily as one who has, but you can still get the general idea. The boys would aggravate the ram and get him to chase them. Then, they would run like mad and hop up on a trailer just before he reached them. The ram would smash his head against the trailer and the boys would die laughing. (This was in the 1930's, prior to the establishment of the SPCA, PETA and neighbors with long noses).

They had nearly tired of their game when their cousin arrived in his Sunday go-to-meeting suit. He saw the boys playing with the ram and, being something of a city boy, misunderstood the game entirely. He cheerfully went up to the ram to pet him, but the enraged animal just lowered his head and backed up. Not being savvy in the way of rams, Cousin said, "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you". A few seconds later, Cousin was sore and in need of a new suit, but he had become wise in the way of the world as it pertained to rams. So far as anyone knows, he never again tried to pet another ram. Cousin had become educated. The lesson was a success.

Have you ever noticed how some people approach sin in the same way that city boys treat rams? They see it and are intrigued. They want to get close enough to pet it, thinking that they are in control of the situation, then are surprised to find themselves on their backsides, soiled and bruised. Unlike Cousin, however, they don't always learn their lesson and keep coming back for more.

If you have been knocked down by sin and have learned your lesson, then congratulate yourself - you won't have to go back for seconds. But, if you have been fooling yourself into thinking that you are special and are equipped with super powers that allow you to play with rams and fire, then get ready: You are about to get soiled, bruised and burned!

Can a man scoop fire into his lap without getting burned? Proverbs 6:27, NIV

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8, NIV