Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. For it flatters him in his own eyes concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.
Psalm 36:1-2
Transgression… an act of rebellion… sin; it speaks to us.
It does not snarl.
It does not scream, or bark, or growl.
It speaks within the heart.
The heart’s voice is full of justice. We tend to trust what we hear from the heart. We believe we are not guilty, because we heard from within our heart a flattery that justifies our indulgence.
Yet…
The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
Why is it that we listen?
Why are we so easily convinced that sin is on our side?
If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.
Genesis 4:7 (Emphasis added)
Sin has a voice, and a hunger. It calls us with sweet comfort, and swallows the un-mastered soul deep into bitterness.
For, with You is the fountain of life;
Psalm 36:9
In Your light, we see light.
God has a voice too. Sometimes still and small, so that we must abandon our noise to hear Him.
Sometimes an earth shaking thunder, so that we must recognize Him in awe.
His voice never tries to deceive. It never calls us with intention to pander, or manipulate.
God’s voice is revelation. It lights the dark corners, and in His light, we understand light.
In His light we hunger for more light.
In His light we find our own voice to be small and unimaginative.
In His light we recognize that flattering our own will has never flourished the soul.
Allowing my soul to rest in the majesty of His voice, the purity of His light, and the power of His presence is the better self adulation. Pushing my soul to its highest calling of strength by way of humility, I say with the Psalmist,
O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.”
Psalm 36:10