Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding gives favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. I. THE COURSE OF SIN. 1. A disposition to regard life as a matter of circumstances. Personal freedom is, however, never nullified, personal responsibility never suspended. The track and trend of a man's life is largely within his own determination. 2. The text speaks of "a way," i.e., a trodden path. It refers to a course that is chosen, and persisted in. It is the habit of the sinner's life — a much-frequented track. 3. Sin indulged in soon becomes sin confirmed. How soon a track is made across the soft earth. The "dearest idol" was once a plaything, a diversion. 4. This is the sure and certain tendency of sin. "Wild oats" mean a harvest of thorns. It is a cruel thing that is done, when men speak lightly of what is wrong. II. THE ACT OF SIN. 1. Sin is one: a great, awful unit. But sin is viewed under various aspects. Here the idea is that of one who deals treacherously, one who deceives, or deceives himself. 2. This is the quality of sin committed in Christian lands. Sin "against light and love." This is sin which makes pity impossible, save with God, and with such as the Godlike. III. THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN. All sin is visited with punishment. The "pleasures of sin" are but "for a season." The punishment comes. The present punishment of sin is here emphasised; if that is not enough to drive you from the way of the transgressor, what of the death-bed, of the judgment-seat, of the never-dying worm? Where, then, is salvation? Look at what is suggested by one and another. 1. Retirement; a life of seclusion and penitence. 2. A firm stand against the encroaching sin. 3. Altered associations. These are the proposals of policy, or human calculations. God's proposal for salvation is an absolute and unconditional forsaking. (George Lester.) Parallel Verses KJV: Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.WEB: Good understanding wins favor; but the way of the unfaithful is hard. |
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