Daily Devotion Wednesday October 20

Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.  ~Romans 7:7-8
“Don’t shut the door” you tell your toddler 3.2 seconds before they shut it anyway. Why? Even if they hadn’t been going to shut it, they will now! The law is like that. Exposure to the law actually creates desire to do the thing we’re supposed to avoid, either by giving us the idea, or by igniting a ‘don’t tell me what to do’ attitude. I think that’s why Jesus preferred to use positive commands. Love God and your neighbor. Period. 
What have you had that attitude about? No one can tell me what to do with my money! I’ll date whoever I want. Sunday is my only day for me, God will just have to understand. We treat God’s instructions like they were meant to mess up our day, rather than to protect us from harm.
Prayer: God, forgive me for treating your teaching like an inconvenience, or worse, and outdated form of control. Help me to trust your words and your ways in my life.  Amen.

Pastor Vicky