Romans 7:5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.

One of the strange things about human beings is that the minute we are told not to do something, we feel an urge to do it. That’s not the fault of the rules, it’s our own fault. That’s what this verse is talking about. That’s why the moral education of children is at the same time important and dangerous. We need to give our children guidelines, but as any parent can tell you, the minute those guidelines are expressed, the children want to depart from them. Logic doesn’t work with a 2-year-old, so physical punishment is a necessity. That physical punishment is so conflated with abuse is one of the devil’s more effective lies. Even a small child understands “If I do that, it will hurt!” That’s also why fair, effective law enforcement is vital for society. The recent spate of people not being prosecuted for crimes has produced great evil. The thing is, maturity requires recognizing and acknowledging this impulse in ourselves, and standing against it. Everyone knows “the deliciousness of the forbidden,” but as this verse says, the fruit that produces is death. Rather than seeking our own pleasure and “fun,” we need to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. If we will do that, God will add to that joy and fun the world knows nothing about!

My parents must have done fairly well by me, because I never had a very strong desire to run with the “bad boys.” To this day I don’t like the taste of beer, and that’s a liking I don’t intend to acquire! That said, I have certainly experienced the lure of the forbidden, but haven’t indulged nearly as much as I might have. For that I am deeply grateful, because it is certainly God’s grace and not my own righteousness. That said, I must not let that devolve into pride, or I will be no better than a Pharisee. The time of my life in which I was most walking in spiritual pride I was also most actively flouting God’s rules! I need to remember that in dealing with others, particularly as a pastor, and be forgiving but not excusing, always speaking the truth in love.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for this time in the hospital, and that I get out this morning. I do pray that my healing would be completed on Your schedule for Your glory, and that I would be able to do all the things You have laid out for me in the coming days. Thank You. Praise God!