“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?”
Fire walking began about 1200 BC. That’s about 300 years before Solomon wrote this verse. It was basically used for religious, initiation or a symbol of toughness in a few early tribes. It was never widespread. Recently science has explained the phenomenon. It was not an activity to look forward to. In his passage Solomon wants us to focus on the fact that hot coals burn. They burn whatever they come into contact with. A verse earlier we saw him talk about how adultery is like holding hot coals in your lap. A bad idea. These are all about sexual sin, particularly adultery, and the painful and destructive consequences that come with it. As we’ve said before he had a great concern about sexual sin. Unlike New Testament believers there was no indwelling Holy Spirit with super natural power helping them battle this and all sin. We have an advantage yet our society, as well as God’s Kingdom people, dive into sexual sin as egregious as any from the ancient times. Since Pentecost we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to convince and empower us to avoid sin. Today walk in the Spirits power. #BeTheEdge
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
