The Way of the Transgrssor
The wise writer said, “Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the transgressor (KJV), unfaithful (NKJV), treacherous (NASV) is hard” (Prov. 13:15). The contrast was stated in verse thirteen as, “He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” The good understanding is parallel to fearing the commandment and the way of the transgressor is parallel to despising the word.
The Bible is filled with examples of the truthfulness of this proverb. When Cain transgressed God’s law, he cried, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Gen. 4:13). When David chose to commit adultery and murder, he found the way of transgression hard. He was forgiven, but there were consequences God placed on him. Nathan said, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die” (2 Sam. 12:13,14). In spite of these Biblical examples, there are many who are shocked when the consequences of their transgressions begin to pile up. Saying, “I didn’t know it would turn out like this,” or “Do I have to pay the rest of my life for this transgression?” will not change the result.
When young people are not taught to respect authority, or they refuse to learn what they have been taught, the consequences are treacherous. They think everyone is against them. The teachers, the employers, the law; everyone is wrong except them! In many instances parents did not use the “board of education” when it should have been used, but in other cases the child simply did not learn the lesson and must suffer the consequences. It is our God-given right to choose, but we need to remember that there are consequences to our choices. He who despises the word will be destroyed but he who fears God’s ward will be rewarded
The Bible is filled with examples of the truthfulness of this proverb. When Cain transgressed God’s law, he cried, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Gen. 4:13). When David chose to commit adultery and murder, he found the way of transgression hard. He was forgiven, but there were consequences God placed on him. Nathan said, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die” (2 Sam. 12:13,14). In spite of these Biblical examples, there are many who are shocked when the consequences of their transgressions begin to pile up. Saying, “I didn’t know it would turn out like this,” or “Do I have to pay the rest of my life for this transgression?” will not change the result.
When young people are not taught to respect authority, or they refuse to learn what they have been taught, the consequences are treacherous. They think everyone is against them. The teachers, the employers, the law; everyone is wrong except them! In many instances parents did not use the “board of education” when it should have been used, but in other cases the child simply did not learn the lesson and must suffer the consequences. It is our God-given right to choose, but we need to remember that there are consequences to our choices. He who despises the word will be destroyed but he who fears God’s ward will be rewarded