An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad. (29:6)
The New King James has a similar translation: By transgression an evil man is snared, but the righteous sings and rejoices. The idea of “transgression” reveals a lot more of the intent of the proverb. To transgress is to step across the line, to go out of bounds so to speak. It implies that a person leaves the path of righteousness or obedience to try a different way. It is the idea behind Isaiah 53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way…”
Why do we leave the path of obedience? Generally to seek pleasure or some type of self-gratification or joy. Something catches our eye off the path and we think, “Wow, that really looks like the place to be!” So we veer off and take another path thinking that it will satisfy us. Instead we are “snared” by our own sin. The pleasure of the forbidden wears off and we are trapped by our own foolish choices. Sin may look like honey but it always stings in the end.
On the other hand, the proverb states the one who stays on the path of righteousness “can sing and be glad.” Following God’s path brings the opportunity to rejoice and be glad. I like the fact that the NIV says that righteous one “can” sing and be glad. It implies that we do have a choice. Staying on the path gives us every reason to rejoice–we have a clear conscience, we have blessings from God to enjoy, and we have a future hope. However sometimes our feet may stay on the path but our eyes drift off the road to the same temptations that ensnare the foolish. The billboards of the world are big and bright and easily distract us. It is when our feet are on the path and our eyes are focusing on the blessings of God that we find the key to singing and gladness.
Lord, tune my heart to sing Your praise this day.
Plain and simple man has a sinful nature. Yes we like sheep have gone astray. But God has brought us back to Himself thru Jesus. We still have a free will to do what God says and to choose not to transgress but there again is that sinful nature. The bible says be sure your sin will find you out. How profound! If we walk in the Spirit then we will not fill the desires of the flesh. What a great place to live. When we walk in the spirit we are truly free. Our lives can be open books because we have nothing to hide. It is like a breath of fresh air. If we have nothing to hide we have nothing to worry about.
Lord may our lives be an open book so that others may see you in all we do. In His Love, Lori Plunkett
Comment by lorip — August 29, 2006 @ 11:20 am