2026-10-31
Romans 7: 13 …In order that sin might be showed to be exceedingly sinful, it used what is good to bring about my death…
Romans 7 is a particularly well-known (and relatable?) passage in Scripture. In it Paul cries: “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing… What a wretched man I am…” (Verse 19,24) He shows elaborately how sin made use of the commandment that was holy, righteous, and good, to lead him to death– sin used what is good to cause death.
How often indeed does sin treacherously and deceitfully use the good things in our lives to lead us to error and to our death? Sin mingles sand with the good flour so that it becomes no longer fit for consumption. Sin mingles pride with our humility, it introduces selfishness in our love and turns us inward to ourselves when we would turn to God. The serpent was the craftiest animal that God had made, and so indeed the devil, slyly, never tempts all men the same way; for some , especially those who profess godliness, he makes use of some supposed good to cause condemnation and death. Brethren, beware this enemy who plays at being a friend while he hides a dagger in his coat. Beware of that which you call good, because therein sin might be verily lurking.
Prayer: Omnipotent God and merciful Father, by your Precious Holy Spirit cause us to be ever on our guard against sin’s deceitfulness. In your mercy grant us wisdom to see sin’s working even in that which seems good. Deliver us from all wretchedness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.