Being Fruitful
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Posted: January 7, 2023
Author: Coria Brock 2 Chronicles 7:14, New International Version “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” |
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“If my people…turn from their wicked ways…” If we dig down to the root, are we human beings weak and wicked? I think we are, and these traits work hand in hand. Let’s gain more insight from the truth, the Word of God, which says:
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5, ESV)
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (Matthew 26:41, ESV)
Before the fall, Adam and Eve did not know good and evil, yet they were tempted to disobey the instruction of the Lord. Could it be possible that their nature contained wickedness? The answer is no. According to the Bible, people are born in human likeness and have a sinful nature only after the fall. They were tempted and deceived by the devil. As Proverbs warns us, “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.” (4:13-15, NIV) Once they made the decision to act on their own will, they made an agreement with the one who tempted them and followed his wicked ways.
After the fall, the agreement between the devil and mankind is still in effect. It’s sealed in the nature of men, in their flesh and blood. Just as the Word mentions, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10, NIV) Look at Noah, King David, Solomon, and many more who are in the Old Testament…Did they receive the blessing of God? Did they know the instructions of the law? Yet, they still disobeyed. They did what they were told not to do. If Adam and Eve who from the beginning had not known evil could be tempted, how much easier are we tempted now that the seed of sin has been conceived!? Does that mean we are hopeless just as the Apostle Paul’s confession implies, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24, NIV) Thanks be to God, we have the same answer as Paul when he said, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25, NIV)
For we have a high priest, Jesus, who is able to empathize with our weaknesses, and has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He demonstrated that He did not commit sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Because of that, His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12) Therefore, my dear friends, humble yourselves before God, resist the devil. Keep watch and pray, do not give in to temptation. Instead, seek the Lord’s face and turn from any of your wicked ways. Not only will the devil flee from you, the Lord will forgive your sin and will heal your land. (James 4:7, Matthew 26:41, 2 Chronicles 7:14)
