Proverbs 17:19 KJV He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Transgressions can mean sin or rebellion.
1 Samuel 15:23 KJV For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…
Strife can mean contention.
1 Corinthians 11:16 KJV But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (Understand that this means that we have no custom of being contentious).
These are not Godly characteristics and can lead us to exalting the gate in our life. Which can lead to destruction. What gates in the Word lead to destruction, but the gates of hell. With that thought, when we live like this we lift up the gates of hell in our lives. We give hell territory in our lives by aligning ourselves with characteristics of the enemy and begin to resemble the enemy more than Jesus.
Jesus said that the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18). Which means we should be in battle with the gates of hell.
When it says “he that exalteth his gate” could also mean that in our adversity if we begin to say how big our adversity is we could be lifting up our gate (our personal battles). We could be magnifying the enemy in our lives. If we say the battle is too hard and turn away we can be like the children of Ephraim.
Psalm 78:8-11 KJV
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
Again rebellion is brought up. Why? Because we’re supposed to battle the gate. If we turn away from the battle, that’s rebellion. We are supposed to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12). If you’re fighting, you’re not turning away from the battle. As Ephriam we have the weapons that we need to take on the enemy. We must press on. Notice that it says their hearts were not right, they did not keep the covenant and refused to walk in His law. These are very serious things.
Philippians 3:18-19 KJV
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
If we are more concerned with our comforts on this earth than we have made our belly (comfort) our god. We are enemies of the cross! Enemies of the cross, think about that and don’t just skim over it. Let that sink into your soul. This can happen when we don’t want to crucify our own desires. Just as in the first verse, destruction is mentioned again.
If you have been living this way there is hope. You can repent.
Matthew 21:28-31 KJV
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first….
You see just as the first son we can repent and do our Fathers bidding. Do this today, take on the gates and fight the good fight.
Matthew 7:13-14 KJV
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
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