THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD!

THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD!

Prov 13:15

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

           The word “hard” is used only three times  in the Authorized Version or only twice actually if you consider that one verse is a quote from another. The first is here in Proverbs where the Hebrew word is ‘eythan which means rough or hard.

           The second and third usage is in the New Testament in Acts 9:5 and Acts 26:14. There the voice of Jesus tells Paul what he already knows: “It is hard to kick against the pricks or prods of reason and conscience.” In both these instances the Greek word is skleros which means tough or severe.

           Many illustrations can be used to describe the “hard way.” We can make things harder by trying to loosen a bolt by tightening it or we may try swimming upstream against the rushing current. We may make things much harder by not following instructions. This is my personal favorite!

           We all know people who are “bull headed” or maybe we are one of those people. A bull rules the pasture. When he comes to a place in the fence where there is no gate he may simply decide to make a new one! He charges through and creates much destruction and may even injure himself on the wires. Yet he keeps plowing through because he is a bull. He has made his way much harder than necessary.

Prov 16:7

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Dear Lord I don’t want to go charging through life making new fences. Let my ways please you so that there will be peace. AMEN