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Bad News, Good News

I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  Romans 7:18 NIV

Well versed in acceptable and unacceptable behavior, my sister’s grandson committed a definite no-no.

Quickly looking around, he realized Nanny witnessed the dreadful deed. Never at a loss for words, he said, “Now, Nanny, don’t you talk to me about Jesus!”

Isn’t that the way we adults often respond as well? We know what we should and shouldn’t do. We’ve heard it often enough. We’ve experienced the consequences of past poor choices. Yet we find ourselves repeatedly drawn to the forbidden.

We know when we mess up. However, we don’t like to face the reality of our misdeeds, particularly from those who witness them. Without a doubt, we’re guilty, but we don’t want to hear about it.

Nevertheless, we must face our sins and repent of them to experience God’s plan for our lives. The bad news: We can never live as we should on our own. The good news: If we know Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord, we have God’s Holy Spirit to guide us and live through us. Then, and only then, can we make the right choices. Then, and only then, will we no longer have to worry about who witnesses our actions.

As the apostle Paul acknowledged, our struggle against temptation will continue as long as we live on this earth. However, we can join him as he declared in Romans 7:25, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Thank God for forgiving your sins, including your self-defeating desire to hide those sins from Him.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)


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Diana Derringer

Diana Derringer is author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! She writes for several publications and enjoys traveling with her husband and serving as a friendship family to international university students. She offers life lessons from English expressions at dianaderringer.com.