Proverbs 17:19
He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who raises his door seeks destruction.
You see the door and you want to walk through it ... like a big invitation in the sky it calls out for you to take the opportunity. You know it probably might not work out, but you want to step into it anyhow. What it is? According to the above proverb "It" is the opportunity for a fight, an argument, a chance to enter into strife. Every day people toss out for us the opportunity to fight with them, argue with them, strife with them. Some people, I am convinced, live only to offer those invitations. They love to invite strife into their lives. Solomon is telling us to avoid it. When we show a love for strife we show a love for sin (transgression) for the two are the same. The second line carries an even clearer message: It states that if we open the door to strife we invite certain destruction in our lives. The phrase "raise the door" has a literal meaning and Solomon uses it as a metaphor. In Biblical times if you left the door of the city or tent or home open there was no telling what might wander through. So too when we open our defenses for strife. But, there is also a metaphor here by Solomon. The term door is often used for mouth. When, in pride, we raise the talk (to offer our opinion) we invite destruction. Solomon is telling us that when pride enters the relationship we invite destruction (pride comes before the fall). So, when you see the banner in the sky to step into strife avoid it. Don't open your mouth and walk into that door. Keep your own door shut and move one. You will find peace on the other side of the invitation.
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