What actions violate God's law, as mentioned in Psalm 119:126? The Verse at a Glance “ ‘It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law.’ ” (Psalm 119:126) What “broken Your law” Means To “break” (or “void,” “nullify”) God’s law is more than a casual misstep. It is willfully pushing aside His revealed commands—treating them as optional, outdated, or irrelevant (Isaiah 24:5; Hosea 4:1). Scripture equates such disregard with sin itself: “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) Specific Actions that Violate God’s Law Below is a concise survey of behaviors Scripture repeatedly names as law-breaking. While not exhaustive, each point highlights how Psalm 119:126 comes to life in real choices people make. • Idolatry and False Worship – “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3) – Bowing to created things (Romans 1:21–23) or trusting them more than the Lord replaces Him at the center of life. • Profaning God’s Name – “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” (Exodus 20:7) – Casual oaths, blasphemy, or attaching God’s name to lies empties His reputation of honor (Leviticus 19:12). • Sabbath Neglect and Worship Apathy – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) – Ignoring God-appointed rhythms erodes dependence on His provision (Isaiah 58:13–14). • Disrespecting Parents and Authorities – “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12) – Dishonor, rebellion, or violent disobedience mirrors a deeper resistance to God’s authority (Romans 13:1–2). • Violence and Murderous Anger – “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) – Jesus clarifies that harboring hate or contempt is murderous at heart (Matthew 5:21–22). • Sexual Immorality – “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14) – Adultery, fornication, pornography, and all sexual acts outside covenant marriage violate God’s design (1 Corinthians 6:18–20; Hebrews 13:4). • Theft, Fraud, and Exploitation – “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) – Withholding wages, shady business, or digital piracy all qualify (James 5:4; Ephesians 4:28). • Dishonesty and False Witness – “You shall not bear false testimony.” (Exodus 20:16) – Lies, slander, online misinformation, or half-truths corrupt community trust (Proverbs 6:16-19). • Covetousness and Greed – “You shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17) – Secret longing for another’s spouse, status, or possessions breeds rivalry and discontent (Colossians 3:5). • Oppressing the Vulnerable – God condemns crushing the poor, widows, or foreigners (Zechariah 7:9–10). – Exploiting power for personal gain “breaks” the heart of His law (Micah 6:8). Why These Violations Matter Today • They invite divine intervention. Psalm 119:126 sees urgency—when humanity casts off restraint, God steps in. • Sin distances people from fellowship with Him (Isaiah 59:2). • Societies unravel when God’s moral order is dismissed (Psalm 11:3). • Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) so believers can delight in it, not disregard it (Romans 8:3–4). Encouragement to Uphold God’s Law Delighting in Scripture (Psalm 119:97), walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and resting in Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 10:14–16) empower believers to do the opposite of Psalm 119:126’s offenders. By treasuring His commands, we honor the One who lovingly gave them. |
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