Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
No one can walk upon hot coals without burning the feet. Entering the way of evil men and exposing oneself to evil and corrupting influences brings certain and unavoidable harm, just as close contact with fire inevitably burns. An education shaped by pagan literature that defies God's law and is filled with immoral and violent ideas damages the character of youth, so expecting them to develop Christian character in that setting is inconsistent. Together with the parallel picture of taking fire into the bosom, the same principle applies to reading sensual writings, where repeatedly dwelling on their scenes and ideas excites the passions and corrupts the reader's character.
No one can walk upon hot coals without burning the feet. Entering the way of evil men and exposing oneself to evil and corrupting influences brings certain and unavoidable harm, just as close contact with fire inevitably burns. An education shaped by pagan literature that defies God's law and is filled with immoral and violent ideas damages the character of youth, so expecting them to develop Christian character in that setting is inconsistent. Together with the parallel picture of taking fire into the bosom, the same principle applies to reading sensual writings, where repeatedly dwelling on their scenes and ideas excites the passions and corrupts the reader's character.