Destruction In Simple Terms
A Devotion
The Goodsoil Discipleship Ministry
By Bro. Andy Madonio
December 28, 2000
For sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. Romans 7:11.
Distill this passage down to it's base and you have: "For sin . . . deceived me and . . . killed me." Sin -- just a dirty three-letter word that we needlessly complicate, while at the same time (and most ironically) we also make light of. Ask anyone, "What is sin?" and a whole host of responses will emerge: Drunkenness, debauchery, lust, greed, covetousness, envy, murder, gluttony, pride and so on. The church even has a few additional adjectives, such as venial, unforgivable and unpardonable to add spice to the mix.
Having made things so confusing and complicated, we now ask ourselves questions like, "Is my ambition to succeed and perform well a sin? Am I unsatisfied with my position? Is this what my pastor calls 'discontentment,' and is it a sin? That guy always knows what to say, why can't I be like him? Oops! Does that mean I'm jealous? Oh no! If I'm jealous, I'm obviously not trusting God enough to provide me with what I need! Oh my, sins upon sins!" Eventually, however, even our concern with sin (that is, our own personal sins, not the 'sins' of others!) degenerates into a dull annoyance that we learn to ignore -- to our peril!
Go back again and look, what does the passage say? It describes the process and outcome of sin in the simplest terms possible. Sin, first of all is deceptive. If sin walked up to you and announced its presence and intentions, you would be warned; you would be prepared for the breaking in of the "thief." Secondly, this passage details quite succinctly what sin's intentions are. Sin has a solitary goal -- to kill you! Again, if sin strolled up and said, "Hello there, I am sin, and I will now trick you and then do you in," you'd have the benefit of forewarning. You would (should!) turn tail and flee, thus disrupting his carefully made plans for your demise.
Finally, note the careful description of the type, size and quantity of sin that will "deceive" and "kill." Do you see it? A lot or a little, from a pale shade of gray to the inkiest of black -- any sin will do. Remember, sin has only one simple task, to kill you, and one mode of assault, deception! Your only hope is to live by the Spirit, and being careful and obedient to listen and heed all He tells you.
