Jesus appropriately has the ‘Final Word’ when it comes to ‘Playing with Fire’. 

Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

So, what exactly is lust? Lust – an illicit and intense sexual desire or appetite. Lust is playing with fire. There is nothing positive about lust. It crosses God’s boundaries that He has designed for our good. Lust is self centered and objectifies women who are created in the image of God. 

A man can notice and even be attracted to pretty women without crossing the line into an illicit and intense sexual desire.  This is called self control and a simple action point for every man is to look at women ‘from the neck up’ and develop the discipline to notice their pretty eyes, their beautiful hair and their sweet smile.

Back to where we started; can a man play with fire and not be burned? The answer is No!