Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Aug 7, 2024 - The Forbidden Fruit Syndrome”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsThe Forbidden Fruit Syndrome
Reading: Romans 7:7-12
As Paul discusses the experience of Jews under the Law of Moses, he mentions that “our sinful passions” were “aroused by the law”(Rom 7:5). How does that work? Does it mean that a law God gave was evil? “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’”(Rom 7:7). The Law of Moses is not sin, but it does define and identify sin. It tells us where God has drawn the lines and warns us of what will happen when we cross them.
But the Law also had a counterintuitive effect: “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness”(Rom 7:8). And again, “sin seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me”(Rom 7:11). Paul describes an innocent young Jewish boy (Rom 7:9) who learns that covetousness is wrong. He begins to be curious about it. Rather than helping him resist sin, the Law tells him what sin is and exactly how to commit it. The forbidden fruit intrigues him. Sin he might have avoided springs to life through the Law which forbids it. This does not mean the Law is the problem; it means that we are the problem. Paul becomes a sinner, yet “the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good”(Rom 7:12). The Law has created a problem which he needs more than the Law to escape.
The forbidden appeals to us. It draws our attention, ignites our curiosity, and leads us to question why it is forbidden. Like Eve in the garden, we look longingly at what we cannot have—“good for food,” “a delight to the eyes,” “desired to make one wise”(Gen 3:6). We convince ourselves it is the answer to our problems. But the problem is not with God or his laws; the problem is with us. Law only points us to the need for something beyond law to save us.
-----------
One Thing to Think About: Why are we attracted to what is forbidden?
One Thing to Pray For: Courage to trust and obey Jesus’ instructions
