sin uses God's good things

Today in the One Year Bible, we read something interesting in Romans 7:1-13. And in this passage, Paul tells us that sin uses God's commands for its own evil purposes. That sounds odd, doesn't it? That sin uses what God has given us for evil? But it makes sense when you step back and think about it. Because everything was created by God. All THINGS were made by Him. And no THING is evil. Everything is good in itself. Only when things are used for evil does evil become involved.

And that's what Paul tells us that sin does. It takes what God has made for good, and uses it for evil instead. It turns things into double agents, working for our detriment instead of our benefit.

But the good news in all of this is that God does something similar, but in reverse. He takes those double agents, those THINGS that sin has repurposed for evil reasons, and He works them for our good. The things that sin tries to turn against us, God works for good. We know this because later in Romans (the next chapter, in fact), Paul tells us that God works EVERYTHING for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose.

So when you see things being used against you in your life, just ask Him to help turn them around. To turn the double agents into triple agents, and use them for what they were originally created to do - to bless you.

God, thank You for being bigger than all of the evil plans in the world. Help us trust You.