Have you ever heard the old adage, “If you play with fire you’re going to get burned”? I believe this saying is true. I use a torch from time to time at work and it never fails when I work with hot objects I always get burned. This gives credence to the idea that the more we are involved with something we shouldn’t be involved with the more likely we are going to get hurt.

In 1 Samuel 5 we find a situation that the Philistines got themselves involved in that proved to become too hot for them to handle. There was a battle between Israel and the Philistines and this particular battle the Philistines won. The Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. What they were trying to do is gain more power for themselves. They felt if they had the ark they would have the God of Israel on their side.

What they failed to realize was God had a covenant with Israel and furthermore, He didn’t share temples with any other gods. What they found in the morning was a defeated statue of Dagon. As Ashdod entered the temple, Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of God. Well they stood him back up and the next day they found Dagon without a head or hands and “the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them.” (1 Samuel 5:6) What the Philistines soon realized was they were playing with fire and were getting burned.

So many people get involved with things they shouldn’t. They have the attitude that they can handle it. They say that nobody is going to tell them what they can or cannot do. What many soon realize is that they aren’t as strong or indestructible as they thought and they can’t handle the consequences and repercussions of sin. They see that the sin that once allured them has now hurt them. Sadly, like the Philistines, it takes awhile for them to realize this before they’ll turn loose. The Philistines did return the Ark to Israel. Most can’t let go of the sin they are involved in. Sin’s allure is inviting and promises fun, excitement, and pleasure but be warned, it is hot. You will not find fulfillment, joy, satisfaction, or peace in sin. You will find a dead-end road of destruction. Don’t be like the Philistines and get involved in something you can’t handle. You will find that it is “too hot to handle.”

Join us at Victory Baptist Church on Sundays at 11:00 or tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.