“He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome; He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].” Proverbs 17:19 AMP
Today we see the heart of one who walks in the wickedness of sin. Our verse opens with the word “loves.” The Hebrew word used here is the word meaning to “having an affection for something because of a close relationship with it;” It is often used to describe a man who has sex with a prostitute or a relationship that is morally legitimate. We read in the book of Ezekiel,
“You adulterous wife, who welcomes and receives strangers instead of her husband! 33Men give gifts to all prostitutes, but you give your gifts to all your lovers, bribing the pagan nations to come to you [as allies] from every direction for your obscene immoralities. 34And you are different from other [unfaithful] women in your promiscuity, in that no one follows you to lure you into prostitution, and because you give money, and no money is given you; in this way you are different.”
Ezekiel 16:32-34 AMP
God was describing the behavior of the people of Israel in that they were not drawn away from Himself but rather they were “paying to play” with sin! That is so true today. People spend millions of dollars to practice things that will ultimately draw them away from God! It isn’t that sin is pursuing them, they are pursuing sin! The verse goes on to tell us that those who love to walk in sin will “love” strife and quarrels. We see this ever so clearly as we watch the clash of the righteous and the sinner. Those who are trying to walk in the right way are generally patient and orderly in their demonstrations.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. 18And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].”
James 3:17-18 AMP
The wicked however, are quite the opposite. I see the picture of the burning cities of America caused by those who love strife and quarreling! The wicked are bent on getting their way even if they have to destroy others to get it! It reminds me of the verse in the Gospel of John,
“This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the [c]darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. 21But whoever practices truth [and does what is right–morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are–accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].”
John 1:4 NKJV
Jesus stepped into the darkness of this world with the light of the truth. It was as if He entered a room where everyone was involved in illicit behavior in the darkness and turned on the light so everyone could see their actions! Instead of falling in repentance, man yelled, “Turn out the lights!”
The word “transgression” is the Hebrew word meaning “an action, crime, or sin that is contrary to human or divine standards; to rise in clear defiance to authority.” Sin is exactly that, a rebellion to the authority of God in our lives. Paul warned us of these coming days.
“But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3[and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 AMP
I want to remind you today to “hold fast to that which is good!” Let you light shine brightly in the midst of this dark age and watch the Lord set the captive free! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken