There is a strange text in Proverbs 22:14, KJV, which seems to say that any man who commits adultery is "abhorred of the Lord." Sounds very serious!
The Revised English Version says, "... is like a deep pit, he whom the Lord has cursed will fall into it." Sounds even more serious!
The Goodspeed Version says, "He with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it."
It does not say that if a man falls into adultery THEN the Lord will "abhor" him or be angry with him; no, the idea is, that the anger and abhorrence of the Lord come BEFORE the man falls into the pit of adultery.
Sounds even more serious still!
Why would the Lord "abhor" or be "angry" with any man?
The key word is "froward." "The froward is abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 3:32).
Those who are recklessly, thoughtlessly, prayerlessly going on in their own way, are the "froward" people whom the Lord cannot help but "abhor."
But remember: being "froward" is not the unpardonable sin; the Holy Spirit can arrest a man (or woman, they too can be "froward"), and convict him/her and bring him/her to repentance. To be froward is to drive your life ahead thoughtlessly without "fearing the Lord" (the word means to reverence Him, but not to be cravenly afraid of Him).
The Lord loves the froward soul; and in response to a heartfelt prayer will give repentance and life-long healing.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
