A
SETTLED REBELLION!
Heb
3:12-13
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in
any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while
it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin.
Heb
3:13
13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and
encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of
you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by
the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his
sin may play on him].
AMPLIFIED
The
Greek word which is translated “hardened” in
verse 13 is skleruno and it means: “to render stubborn.” This obstinacy is
derived from “an evil heart of unbelief” which the original language explains
is due to a “degeneracy from original virtue.”
Rebellion, such as the rebellion of Absalom against
his father David, seems to have a righteous basis.
Absalom, through wicked strategy and trickery stole the hearts of King David’s
people. He promised them a more sympathetic leader and the result was that
David had to flee his kingdom while Absalom partied on the rooftop! The
delusive glamour of sin had played a trick on him and the success of his
venture convinced him that he was right. Let me remind you that sin is
fraudulent!
The ensuing war between David and his son
cost Absalom his life even though David demanded that none touch Absalom. He
was tangled by his lovely locks in a tree and his mule walked away from him
leaving him dangling from an oak. He was an easy target for Joab who knew that
to let Absalom live would only allow the rebellion to continue. Joab shot him
through with three arrows! (See 2 Samuel 18:14) There is hope for the rebel and
even hope that his rebellion may be turned but a settled rebellion such
as that to which Absalom clung is fatal.
Heb
3:12
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in
any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Prov
4:23
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
Dear Lord, help me to guard my heart against
offenses and rebellion. Let me make peace quickly and make good use of your
grace. AMEN
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