Can you remember back to before you were saved? Did you enjoy sinning? Did you choose to sin sometimes even when you knew it was wrong? Although, you probably still choose to do the wrong thing on occasion, hopefully now The Holy Spirit convicts you and He makes it not so enjoyable. Verses 1-4 describe the state of the sinner increasing his sin without remorse.
“Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.”
Why does he sin? Because it intrinsically speaks to his desires and he enjoys it. Because he has no respect for God as Lord. Because he thinks he is above the moral standards he sets for everyone but himself and think no one knows his wrongdoing. Because he is a liar and a fool who pretends to be good and wise. And because sin is such a part of him that he even meditates on it, therefore committing more and more sins.
It is or should be the opposite for the Believer. It is not sin that speaks to us, but God, our Awesome Holy Spirit. We respect God as sovereign King and Lord. We know we have sinned and don’t deserve the wonderful gift of salvation. We have the ability to speak life to people in the Gospel. And we meditate on the Word of God. The Spirit grows in us and we bear His fruit. It is not from our own ability, goodness, or faith. It is because of God’s great and untiring love for us. We can’t measure God’s love. It cannot be contained. Verses 5-9 say,
“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.
His love is so immense that it makes Him perfectly awesomely righteous. He judges with His love by giving us His righteousness, because we have none on our own. He saves us both physically and spiritually. His love is so tremendous that He keeps us safe and gives us rest. He provides our needs and fills us with joy. He shines a light into our hearts and shows us our iniquity. But He doesn’t leave us there, He saves us and makes us righteous. He is our Salvation because He loves us so well.
Once we are saved, He doesn’t leave us as orphans but He leads us, matures us, and keeps us safe from sin. We do not take pride in ourselves and how good we are, because we know all our goodness is from Jesus. Verses 10-12 read,
“Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.”
Pride is our enemy and pride is what keeps sinners sinning. They think they are greater than God or gods themselves. They think they are all-powerful. The world commends those proud people and puts them on pedestals. But the Lord condemns them. In Christ though, there is no condemnation. Instead we are commended and promised crowns in Heaven. Until the sinner can humble himself, he will stay as he is, lost.