FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 7:7: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
The Law is a mirror that reveals the inner man and shows us how dirty we are (James 1:22–25). Note that Paul did not use murder, stealing, or adultery in his discussion; he uses coveting. This is the last of the Ten Commandments, and it differs from the other nine in that it is an inward attitude, not an outward action. Covetousness leads to the breaking of the other commandments! It is an insidious sin that most people never recognize in their own lives, but God’s Law reveals it. The rich ruler is a good example. Instead of admitting his sin, he rejected Christ and went away unconverted. 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15
When you want the things that God does not want for you to have, it is called coveting. When you covet the things that have been forbidden, your passions will become passionate for the things that will destroy your relationship with God and with others. The sin of covetousness will reveal the root of even darker sins. Best to come out into His light, be forgiven by His blood, and walk in the newness of life.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
The Law will reveal the mess, but it cannot clean up the mess.
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
Dear Father, please remove me, so there is more room for You…in Jesus Name. Amen.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 535–536). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
