Book of Wisdom:Proverbs 6:26-35

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 neighbour'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. 

For jealousy is the rage of aman: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 

He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. [Proverbs 6:26-35]

These verses make the prelude to Proverbs chapter seven which has long been one of my favourite my least favourite chapter in the bible. Really, from right back at verse 20, the author has been setting the stage for what I believe (now) is one of the most graphic and yet important parables in the bible. 

In these verses however, I think Solomon is trying to really powerfully engrained in the reader's mind that if you play with sin, you will be hurt. "Can a man take fire in his bosom and not be burned?" How much clearer could the word of the Lord get? He then goes on to discuss two sins - stealing and adultery - both of which are everywhere today and both of which have well-known, common consequences. 

We live in a world of order; God is a God of order and every action has a re-action. We call this "cause and effect". Each sin is an action and calls for a reaction. The bible days that "every man shall receive his own reward according to his labour."

Let our labour be honourable that our reward may be comely.