Prov 19:16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul…
Do you understand? The commandments aren’t for God’s convenience. They aren’t to make your life miserable or more difficult or to restrain you from happiness. They are for your good. They are profitable for you. Rom 7:12 says the law is holy, just, and good. Rom 7:14 says the law is spiritual.
But commandments feel like a restraint. They awaken a desire in you to try to find a way around them, when they are prohibiting you from doing what you want. When what you want is contrary to God’s law, you can be sure that what you’re about to do is going to be bad for you.
Prov 19:16 also says, “But he that despiseth his ways shall die”. Rom 6:23, “The wages of sin is death”. Rom 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die”.
Consider these additional proverbs ;
- Prov 6:32 But whoso comitteth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
- Prov 29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
Prov 20:2 says, “The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul”. You may not face the consequences of disobeying the commandments, immediately, or even in this life. But you will face the consequences when you are before King Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ. Gal 5:19-21 describe many violations of God’s commands and warn “that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
You’re hurting yourself to do those things God has told you not to do and to refuse to do those things that he has told you to do.
The commandments are good and the consequences of obedience are good. Prov 29:18 says “he that keepeth the law, happy is he”. Happiness is in obedience, not in disobedience.