Proverbs 29:6

Some fall into this trouble and then that trouble. Others go through life happily singing! What makes the difference? The answer is worth your attention. You can have a life of pain and problems, or you can have a life filled with joy and pleasure. Which will it be?

An evil man chooses to violate the commandments of God. He wants to do things his own way. He has no real regard or respect for the word of God. He is in love with his own thoughts. He believes he can get away with his sin. He is convinced that he can find happiness by sinning. He confidently rejects wisdom to choose the path of fools.

But he is deceived! Every sin has a snare! There is an unseen trap to punish him for his rebellion against God. Though he did not see the snare when he chose to sin, the rusty claws of the trap will suddenly spring shut on his life. Then he will feel the painful results of a foolish choice (Ps 36:2; Pr 4:19; 13:15; 28:14). He despises the only way out of the trap – full repentance – which for him is like using a pocket knife to whittle off his leg!

Consider examples. A man marries a beautiful woman who does not fear God. Is there a snare? He must live with an odious woman until death. A woman defrauds her husband of daily sex. Is there a snare? She must live with a bitter husband the rest of her life. A man discreetly visits a whore. Is there a snare? He catches an STD. A lazy father neglects child training. Is there a snare? A rebellious child breaks his heart or shames the family.

Consider more examples. A man ridicules the government in his home (Ec 10:20). Is there a snare? His children show the same arrogant rebellion against him. A haughty son chooses to disregard his father’s advice. Is there a snare? He marries a whorish woman and picks a career in a dying industry. A man refuses to save because he loves spending. Is there a snare? He can never invest with his friends and is soon bankrupt. A woman complains about her life. Is there a snare? Her children run away to find joy and peace.

But the righteous man lives a holy life. He carefully lives in obedience to all God’s commandments. He trembles before the word of God. He quickly confesses any sins, and his merciful heavenly Father restores his spirit. His conscience is pure and confident. He has no fear, guilt, or shame. He sleeps well at night, and is gloriously content. His soul is full of pleasure now and with great hope for the future. He sings with great joy. He enjoys every aspect of his life, seeing things to be thankful for everywhere he looks.

Pleasure is the fruit of godliness, and godliness with contentment is great gain (I Tim 6:6). If God says it is gain, it is gain! The holy life is safe from harm, free from guilt, free from trouble. There are no snares in doing right, no vexing remorse or painful results. There is no smitten conscience or hypocritical quandary. The righteous man has a feast every day (Pr 3:17; 15:15). And he knows even greater blessings are coming at death!

God knows you want to be happy, so He told you how in this proverb and elsewhere in the Bible (Ps 34:12-16; Ps 127:5; 128:2; 144:15; Pr 3:13,18; 14:21; 16:20; 29:18). He knows more about happiness and true contentment and fulfillment than all men living. Do you consult His owner’s manual for life – the Bible? Do you attend a church where a man He has appointed preaches the truth and wisdom from that Bible for your happiness?

Reader, do you understand? Have you seen troubled and painful lives? Have you been troubled yourself? It is your fault! You chose to break God’s wise rules, and the snare of sin caught you. There is a snare in every sin. Stop sinning, and you can recover your tranquility (Pr 11:6; 12:13). Where are you cheating God? The trap is ready to spring. Let the righteous man joyfully sing, for his life is blessed and his future will be even better.