Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 7
When God placed Adam and Eve in Eden, he permitted them to eat fruit from any of the trees, except one (Genesis 2:15-17). There was only that one tree from which he commanded them not to eat. That tree was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Although God had given them only that one law, they chose not to obey it (Genesis 3:1-7). They made that decision because of their wrong desires. The fruit was good to eat so their bodies desired it. The fruit looked beautiful to their eyes, so it tempted them. They allowed themselves to become proud: that fruit belonged to God, but they wanted to be like God (Genesis 3:5-6).
These same kinds of wrong desires have affected all people since then (1 John 2:16). God did not give us those kinds of desire; however they have become part of our human nature. The result for us, as for the first people, is that we must die (Genesis 3:19; Romans 6:23).
Our wrong feelings cause us to do all kind of wrong things (Galatians 5:19-21). Our wrong ambitions cause us to desire things that God has not given to us. Our wrong pride is the reason why we refuse to be humble in front of God (Micah 6:8).
Even our reaction to God’s holy law is very strange. God’s law shows us how much we need God to save (rescue) us from our sin (evil deeds). However, our reaction to it is often not to be humble, but to be proud. We read its rules; we imagine ourselves able to prove to God that we really are good people. If we do that, we are behaving like Adam and Eve. We too are acting proudly; we too are depending on ourselves and not on God. Instead, we should come to God humbly, and with faith (active belief and trust in him) - Romans 4:1-3.
Next part: Who guides your life: God's Spirit or your natural thoughts? (Romans 7:6)
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© 2022, Keith Simons.