How did the command “Thou shalt not covet” slay Paul?

How Did the Command “Thou Shalt Not Covet” Slay Paul?

Paul discovered that his own desire to serve God was rooted in a kind of covetousness, which was a desire to be approved by God and men in the flesh. This desire for praise and standing before God in the flesh had cloaked itself in religious service, which Paul had approved of, but he later realized that it was a sin.

Even modern day legalists who think they’re serving God are blinded and self-deceived by their pursuit of the Law, which eventually becomes a veil to blind them. Paul’s experience shows that the Christian life is a supernatural life. It depends enitrely on Christ’s Life. We learn by faith to look to Him to do what we cannot do for ourselves and carry out the Christian life supernaturally from within us.

In order to live the Christian life, we need to focus on Christ and His supernatural supply of His Spirit rather than relying on our own strength and righteousness.. This freedom in Christ is emphasized in Romans 6:14 KJV and Galatians 2:19-20 K. We must renew our minds and pursue discipleship in order to truly experience this supernatural life.

I. Paul’s Desire to Serve God was Rooted in Covetousness (Romans 7:7-8)

II. This Desire for Praise and Standing Before God in the Flesh Cloaked Itself in Religious Service (Philippians 3:4-6)

III. Modern Day Legalists are Blinded and Self-Deceived by Their Pursuit of the Law (Galatians 3:10-14)

IV. The Christian Life is a Supernatural Life, Depending on Christ’s Life (Galatians 2:20)

Keywords: Christian life, legalism, freedom in Christ, grace, renewing the mind, discipleship

I. Paul’s discovery of his own covetous desire to serve God (Romans 7:18-19)

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, confesses his struggle with sin and his own covetous desire to serve God. He acknowledges that even though he desires to do what is good, he finds himself doing what is evil. This inner conflict is a reminder that we are all in need of a Savior.

II. The desire for praise and standing before God in the flesh cloaked in religious service (Philippians 3:4-6)

Paul also warns against the desire for praise and standing before God in the flesh, cloaked in religious service. He reminds us that our righteousness comes from faith in Christ, not from our own works or religious achievements.

III. Modern day legalists blinded and self-deceived by their pursuit of the Law (Galatians 3:10-14)

Paul’s letter to the Galatians addresses the issue of legalism, where people become blinded and self-deceived by their pursuit of the Law. He reminds us that we are justified by faith in Christ, not by our adherence to the Law.

IV. The Christian life is a supernatural life depending on Christ’s Life (Galatians 2:20)

Ultimately, the Christian life is a supernatural life that depends on Christ’s Life. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

How did the command “Thou shalt not covet” slay Paul?