"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul."
Proverbs 6:32
A few verses earlier it says "Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?," also referring to adultery. And the idea of burning ourselves or destroying our own souls I think holds true not only for adultery, but for all sin. Serious sins might burn us and destroy our souls more quickly, but really, all sin is bad for us. It poisons us and desensitizes us to the spirit. It makes us forget spiritual things and to regress rather than progress on our journey back to God's presence.
Often we try to justify our favorite sins by saying they are no big deal, or that we wouldn't have been born with the desire if we weren't meant to indulge, or that we'll repent later, or that we can handle the consequences, or we just try to imagine that God is telling us not to do something out of spite, or gambling with the Universe or something. The truth is though that God, like a knowledgeable guide, knows more about our path and the place we are traveling than we do. He understands the dangers perfectly, and instead of trying to control us he is trying to *protect* us. He doesn't want us to burn ourselves, or destroy our souls. He wants us to make it through the journey with our souls and our senses of humor intact. He even wants us to enjoy the journey, and he encourages us to learn to be guides ourselves so we can help other people on the path. But we can't do that if we keep ignoring his advice, and walking into deadly traps.
Today, let's avoid fire and destruction rather than walking right into it. If we've already been singed or badly burned, let's work on healing up and learning not to set ourselves on fire anymore. If our souls are sick and diseased, let's turn to the gospel for help and healing. Let's remember that God is trying to help us avoid the traps and dangers of our earthly journey, and let's listen more closely and follow his advice.
Proverbs 6:32
A few verses earlier it says "Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?," also referring to adultery. And the idea of burning ourselves or destroying our own souls I think holds true not only for adultery, but for all sin. Serious sins might burn us and destroy our souls more quickly, but really, all sin is bad for us. It poisons us and desensitizes us to the spirit. It makes us forget spiritual things and to regress rather than progress on our journey back to God's presence.
Often we try to justify our favorite sins by saying they are no big deal, or that we wouldn't have been born with the desire if we weren't meant to indulge, or that we'll repent later, or that we can handle the consequences, or we just try to imagine that God is telling us not to do something out of spite, or gambling with the Universe or something. The truth is though that God, like a knowledgeable guide, knows more about our path and the place we are traveling than we do. He understands the dangers perfectly, and instead of trying to control us he is trying to *protect* us. He doesn't want us to burn ourselves, or destroy our souls. He wants us to make it through the journey with our souls and our senses of humor intact. He even wants us to enjoy the journey, and he encourages us to learn to be guides ourselves so we can help other people on the path. But we can't do that if we keep ignoring his advice, and walking into deadly traps.
Today, let's avoid fire and destruction rather than walking right into it. If we've already been singed or badly burned, let's work on healing up and learning not to set ourselves on fire anymore. If our souls are sick and diseased, let's turn to the gospel for help and healing. Let's remember that God is trying to help us avoid the traps and dangers of our earthly journey, and let's listen more closely and follow his advice.
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