Proverbs 29:6: Feeling Trapped in Your Sin?

"An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices." Proverbs 29:6

As we piggy-back off of our last devotional, let me ask you a question: have you ever felt trapped in your sin? Perhaps there is just one sin that you have been struggling with for so long that you simply cannot get over. Take heart, my brothers and sisters, there is hope in the power of Christ.

Here in Proverbs 29:6, we find a great message about ensnarement to sin. This proverb tells us that the "evil man" is the one who is "ensnared in his transgression," but the "righteous man" is the one who "sings and rejoices." Now, let us step aside to discuss how we ought to be interpretting the book of proverbs. As we read through proverbs, we see many characters that can all be summed up in two categories: the wise and the foolish. The Christian is the wise character, and the unbeliever is the foolish character. However, when we read proverbs, we ought to see how even though we are the wise, Christian character, we so often walk like the foolish, unbelieving character. Thus, we must be convicted of our sin and attempt to not walk like a foolish man would walk.

But why do I bring this hermaneutical (hermaneutics = the study of interpreting the bible) note up this morning? Answer: because it helps us interpret our verse for today, Proverbs 29:6. From this verse, we find that the foolish, unbelieving character is the one that is trapped in his sin, yet the wise, Christian character is the one who is singing and rejoicing. In other words, what we must note from this proverb is that those who are truly saved ought to never feel enslaved in their sin, because Jesus has set them free from sin! So often, we feel enslaved to our sin, yet the Bible tells us that only the non-Christian is enslaved to their sin. You may feel like you are enslaved to your sin, but stop it! Because you aren't, if you are truly in Christ! Rather than feeling enslaved, start singing and rejoicing like this proverb tells us we should be doing!

However, I realize that is easier said than done, but my point remains the same: if we are truly Christian, we must live as if we are truly set free from sin. The non-Christian is the one who is enslaved, not you. Therefore, stop living as if you are enslaved to sin! Furthermore, how will unbelievers ever desire to come to faith in Christ if they see Christians acting as if they are enslaved to sin just like they are?

So, stop feeling enslaved to sin, and realize your liberty in Christ that allows you to freely obey his commandments (see Romans, Galatians 5:13). Often, we purposely allow ourselves to feel enslaved to sin so that we think we have an excuse to continue in our sin. Don't be that person, because that person is a fool, even worse than a fool. Repent of your sin, and turn to Christ, who has given you freedom from sin. Amen!