Sin, the Real Enemy
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Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Sunday, August 23, 2026 | Romans 7:7–13
KEY VERSE: “Sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness…” — Romans 7:8 ESV
MESSAGE:
After showing that believers have been released from the Law to serve in the new way of the Spirit, Paul now addresses a question that could easily arise: Is the Law itself sinful? His answer is an emphatic, “By no means!” The Law did not create sin. Rather, it reveals sin. Paul illustrates this from his own experience: “I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’” (Exodus 20:17). The commandment exposed a sinful inclination that was already present within him.
Now we come to the wickedness of sin. The Key Verse explains that sin seized the opportunity provided by the commandment and produced all kinds of covetousness in Paul. Sin takes advantage of what God prohibits and stirs sinful desires within us. Paul uses covetousness as his example, and we should not belittle it. The deeper issue is the deceptive power of sin, which seeks opportunities to work through our sinful inclinations.
Sin, therefore, emerges as the enemy. How? Paul tells us in verse 11 that sin seized an opportunity through the commandment, deceived him and through it killed him. It is instructive to note that the Law remains holy, righteous and good. Verse 13 makes clear that it is sin which produces death through what is good, thereby exposing sin for what it truly is. Let us stop blaming God's standard or finding excuses for our disobedience. Sin is the enemy, and Christ has dealt with it.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Identify where sin is seeking an opportunity in your life. Stop making excuses for it, and bring that area under the rule of Christ today.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus Christ, help me to stop finding excuses for sin. Give me grace to recognise its deception and walk in the victory You have won for me. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
Day 234 Isaiah 19–21 — The Lord Rules Over Nations and Their Destinies
DAILY word study: OPPORTUNITY The word translated “opportunity” in Romans 7:8 comes from the Greek aphormē, meaning a starting point, base of operations, or occasion from which something can act. Paul describes sin as “seizing an opportunity through the commandment.” Sin seeks a point from which it can operate, producing sinful desires and deception. This is why sin must never be treated lightly or excused. Reflect on This
Where might sin be gaining an opportunity in your life? Bring that area under Christ’s rule.
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