“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”  

Each spring, when run-off grows the Yellowstone River, park gates open and world-travelers stream through. Bison gallop and graze, geysers spew and bubble, cameras flash and posted signs warn, “Danger. Do not approach wildlife,” or “Fragile thermal area. Keep out.” To those unfamiliar, these signs become little dares: Let’s take a selfie with this bison! We can get better shots of the geysers off the boardwalk!  

These are the folks who make headlines each summer, while locals shake their heads. Is it a lack of understanding? A brazen disregard for common sense and safety? Burning curiosity? Whatever compels these daredevils, each summer another daring tourist proves the importance of boundaries. God’s law works the same way. “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law,” Paul writes to his Roman brothers and sisters.  

The law, the commandment, the boundary – whichever word resonates – becomes an opportunity. A little dare, if you will. Even the believer, who is no longer bound by the law (Romans 7:6), is tempted. Paul uses coveting as an example, saying, “I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting” (Romans 7:7-8). Just as Paul was tempted by his sin nature, so are we.  

We are believers who have died to ourselves and now enjoy new life through Christ. We know what’s wrong and what’s right. We know which fruits in life are forbidden. We know God’s boundaries are given for our protection and growth. Yet, we take the dare. Sometimes knowingly, other times unknowingly. Almost always with the desire to do instead what is right. Why is this?  

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“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me,” (Romans 7:15-17). Friend, to know the boundary – and to want to keep it – is not enough. As a people redeemed, we delight in God’s law. Yet we are still on Earth, still human, still prisoners of the law of sin (Romans 7:22-23). As long as we live on this side of Heaven, this war will wage within us, despite our most noble intentions. Praise God for the Holy Spirit, our helper in this spiritual war.  

Don’t shake your head at yourself or beat yourself up, asking, “Is it a lack of understanding? A brazen disregard for common sense and safety? Burning curiosity?” Remember: you are human, but you are a new creation. You “serve in the new way of the Spirit” (Romans 7:6). You no longer bear the fruit of death but fruit for God (Romans 7:4). Because of the blood and love of Jesus, no temptation or sin can change that truth. This gives us hope to get back up, to wage war against the sin nature victoriously. It also gives us relatability. How many of your unsaved friends get hung up on the truth that we are all sinners (Romans 3:10-12)?  

As unsaved friends and family members around you take the little dares afforded by God’s commandments, it might be as easy to judge them as it is to mock those daring Yellowstone tourists. But remember you have your own wars that you wage each day. Even Paul coveted. Friend, against sin we are victorious! Yet, we can relate. Let this shared experience and the power of the Holy Spirit lead you when the next opportunity for a spiritual conversation shows up.  

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Holy Spirit, just as sin takes advantage of the boundaries you set for our protection and safety, may we take advantage of every opportunity to share your truth. May we be encouraged that even Paul struggled with sin nature, may we be strengthened by the joy of your Truth that we are victorious in the war with sin, and may we, being humbled, have the courage to speak up about our own journeys so that our unsaved friends and family might know your hope, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

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