Friday - Proverbs 13 - The Way of the Transgressor is Hard

S

IN'S pleasures are seasonal (Hebrews 11:25).  However, according to Solomon, the way of the transgressor is hard (Proverbs 13:15).  Aren't these 2 things mutually exclusive?  I guess not.  And truthfully, you and I don't have to think very hard to realize that there are many temptations that at once promise both an intense thrill and intense misery.  Perhaps we would do ourselves a favor to focus on the misery.

So, what is so hard about being a transgressor?  According to Proverbs 13, transgressors suffer violence (2), destruction (3, 13, 20 & 23), lack (4 & 25), shame (5 & 18), metaphysical poverty (7 & 18), contention (10), loss (11& 22), evil mischief (17 & 21) and addiction (19).  Sounds to me like quite a life of misery indeed.  No wonder Solomon also wrote, Proverbs 13:24, "He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes (diligently & on time)." Because, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him" (22:15).  And because, "You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell" (23:13-14).  We certainly should be willing to do whatever it takes to keep our children off the hard road of the transgressor.  They surely won't learn to do right by always getting their own way.

Look, life is hard for everyone.  Some folks can afford to shield themselves from some of the pain.  Others are protected to some extent by the culture they live in or by generous family members or benefactors.  All who escape specific pains do so simply because of God's grace.  And all the while, believers endure certain painful persecutions because of our faith and our identification with the Devil's archenemy.  Still, the way of a transgressor is hard.  There are a multitude of hardships that we bring upon ourselves through foolishness and evil, which we would never have to face if we would do the right things.  Make no bones about it, the way of the transgressor is hard - period!  So, let's just stay inbounds.  It is, of course, safer to do right than to trespass.