Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

(Continued from Day 36)

If you’re reading this list, you may think, I haven’t done that or that or that. Don’t dismiss the list that quickly. Job 31:1 says, “I made a covenant with my eyes, not to look upon people lustfully.” Looking lustfully at someone constitutes porneia. Your issue may not even be what you do with your body but with your eyes, mind, and heart. Simply put, before I get into more of the specifics of Romans, understand we are all guilty, just in different ways.

We are all sinners, and we all need a Savior. It might make us feel better to consider a particular sexual act, type of misconduct, or act of disobedience or rebellion and congratulate ourselves. We see clearly what others are doing wrong, but we need to look in the mirror. Before we judge others, we should judge ourselves. Before we examine others, we should examine ourselves. Based on this list and other lists of sins in the Bible, I must tell you I am guilty, and so are you. I was sexually active as a brand-new Christian in ways outside God’s design. I stopped once I understood what the Bible says and accepted God’s authority over all my life. We have all been guilty of number 9, and many people have done more than one or two on this list.

How do we deal with a list such as this? We repent by the Spirit’s power. All of us have had lustful thoughts about someone other than our spouses. I do not mean for us to excuse the sins of others because of our own personal guilt, but instead, I want to show that only Jesus Christ is without any sexual sin in His heart or hands. The rest of us need His forgiveness, healing, and power to live as God created us to live.

Today’s Reflection

Which items on this list have created a struggle for you?