Romans 16:19 KJV
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
The Apostle's desire for the believer is exactly the opposite of Satan's offer in the garden. Satan offered Eve the ability to know both good and evil. Apostle Paul says he would that we know good, but that we are simple or innocent or unaware of that which is evil. It is a virtue, not a hindrance, to be naive toward that which is evil and wrong!
But Eve's taste for the evil runs through us all. A Christian parent might just as well say to their child that we would have them to be "simple concerning evil."
We try our best, while they are in our homes, to protect them from evil.
We hope to help them avoid a an experiential knowledge of sin
We desire that, even as they move away that they will remain simple concerning evil
Yet too many young people rebel against their parent's protection (and it is a rebellion) in experimenting with sin as soon as they are free to do so. Their rebellion is not only against their parents....
It is rebellion against the express wishes of God's Word and therefore
It is rebellion against God Himself
And there is no age limit in this passage. That means we never reach an age when it is safe to be wise concerning evil. The Christian who would be wise concerning that which is good maintains a lifelong simplicity concerning evil.
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
The Apostle's desire for the believer is exactly the opposite of Satan's offer in the garden. Satan offered Eve the ability to know both good and evil. Apostle Paul says he would that we know good, but that we are simple or innocent or unaware of that which is evil. It is a virtue, not a hindrance, to be naive toward that which is evil and wrong!
But Eve's taste for the evil runs through us all. A Christian parent might just as well say to their child that we would have them to be "simple concerning evil."
We try our best, while they are in our homes, to protect them from evil.
We hope to help them avoid a an experiential knowledge of sin
We desire that, even as they move away that they will remain simple concerning evil
Yet too many young people rebel against their parent's protection (and it is a rebellion) in experimenting with sin as soon as they are free to do so. Their rebellion is not only against their parents....
It is rebellion against the express wishes of God's Word and therefore
It is rebellion against God Himself
And there is no age limit in this passage. That means we never reach an age when it is safe to be wise concerning evil. The Christian who would be wise concerning that which is good maintains a lifelong simplicity concerning evil.
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