Read Romans 7:14–25
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not
do, but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:15
The law cannot give life—it can only show sinners that they are guilty
and condemned. This explains why legalistic Christians and churches
do not grow and bear spiritual fruit. They are living by law, and the
law always kills (2 Cor. 3:6). Few things are deader than a legalistic
church that is proud of its “high standards” and tries to live up to
them in its own energy. Often the members of such a church start to
judge and condemn one another, and the sad result is a church fight
and then a church split that leaves members—or former members—
angry and bitter.
As new Christians grow, they often come into contact with various philosophies of the Christian life. But no human teacher can take
the place of Christ; no book can take the place of the Bible.
Human beings can give us information, but only the Spirit can
give us illumination and help us understand spiritual truths. The
Spirit enlightens us and enables us; no human leader can do that.
Something to Ponder
How can you benefit from the wisdom of other people without putting too much value on their advice?