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Sin is even more Attractive when we know it is Wrong

Romans 7:7-8
What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. (NIVUK)

Even before God announced the law to Moses, every person was a sinner after Adam and Eve agreed with Satan and defied God’s Word (Genesis 3:1-7).  The absence of a law did not stop Cain and Noah, Abraham and Jacob from sinning, but when the law was given, sin was defined, and along with that the punishment for sin was stated (Romans 5:13).

Identifying something as wrong, sinful, unholy or unrighteous does not stop us. Previously, Paul wrote about the way Jews or Gentiles reacted to God's law; but in this chapter he writes about his own response. He reveals that, even though he is an apostle, he was still seriously tempted to sin (Romans 7:21-23).

Surprisingly, he says that knowing God's law did not diminish his urge to sin - instead the wrong passions were intensified!  It seems that once we know that God forbids something, we become inflamed to desire to think, say or do it!  That was Adam’s problem too having known God’s instruction and decided to do the opposite (Romans 5:14).  And Paul admits that is a part of his own sinful nature too.  It is not that God's law is wrong, but it has a unique way of exposing the wrong in us (James 1:13-15).  So, we do not need more law but somebody who is strong enough to rescue us from our sinful compulsions; and His Name is Jesus (Romans 7:24-25)!

Even as born-again believers in Jesus, we have enough residual rebellion in our sinful natures to urge us to defy the Living God.  That is why even reading the Bible cannot take away our lust to sin.  Indeed, the more we focus on not sinning, the more we fail.  The answer for the believer, the church or society is not more rules, or even more discipline (although we should not despise either), but more gratitude for what Jesus has done for us, so that we may love Him more and desire to receive more of His grace each day.

Prayer 
Righteous God. Thank You for Your Word which exposes my sin. Even when I know what is wrong, and focus on doing right, I fail You. Forgive me for believing that I can become holy by my own effort. I long for a complete freedom from sin, but daily I struggle within myself. Please teach me that I cannot win by struggling alone. I know You are with me. Please help me to receive Your grace so that I can have a refreshed relationship with You and learn to serve You well. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams