Can you walk near fire and not smell like smoke? Proverbs 5-6

Proverbs 6:27-28

Can a man take fire in his bosom

And his clothes not be burned?

 Or can a man walk on hot coals

And his feet not be scorched?

Our modern-day version of this proverb says it this way, "if you play with fire you'll certainly get burnt." Solomon is sharing with us the cost of an adulterous relationship.  He wants us to know in these chapters that the pleasure always gives way to an exceedingly difficult pain. Again, for clarification, is talking in two realms. One realm is the actual adultery and sexual relationship. The other realm, is the realm where adultery represents folly; sin in general. There is no doubt here that Solomon would have had a conscious thought process about his own father, King David.  David's sin with Bathsheba certainly shaped Solomon's thinking about adultery and sexual relationships. He also saw the pain that it brought to those around him and the legacy it left with his father.  There are many in this world who believe that they can play with this type of thing in their life. They believe they can flirt and engage in sexual banter and nothing will happen. They believe they can look and not touch and nothing will happen. But Solomon is letting us know that if you are around fire you smell like smoke. Our Lord told us that if a man looks on a woman to lust after her he is already committed adultery in his heart. This sin begins in the heart. Therefore getting close to it can cause extreme pain and suffering for all those involved.  Taking hold of wisdom will keep us from this difficulty.  As we apply Christ to our life and allow Him to rule and reign we will have protection from this flame and pain.