Proverbs 17:19 (ESV)
Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
Do you like strife? Do you make yourself available for strife? Do you want to pick a fight with someone? According to the above proverb, the door in that last sentence is the opportunity for a fight, an argument, a chance to enter into strife. Every day people toss out the opportunity to fight with them, argue with them, engage in 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 makes the door high 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. In those days, lions would roam the streets. (Remember the proverb about the lazy person who won’t go to work because there is a lion in the street?) In those days dogs were not pets, they were animals that attacked. You could not leave the door open. So too when we leave our defenses open toward strife. But, there is also another 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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