The Deceitfulness of Sin
A Sermon on Romans 7:10-11
Scripture
10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Sermon Description
Sin is deceiving, but just how does it deceive? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches the sermon on Romans 7:10–11 titled “The Deceitfulness of Sin” and further dissects just how powerful and persuasive sin can be in a Christian’s life. Paul confirmed in his letter to the Romans that no one can find life by the law and instead can actually find death. This is because sin is death and the law shows the sin in lives. Paul is careful to clarify that the law is good as long as it is used lawfully. However, despite one’s best efforts, sin uses the law and condemns. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains four ways in which sin deceives: it makes one feel that God is against them; it makes them feel that the law is unreasonable in its demands; it praises the sinner and makes them think highly of themselves; and it even deceives about sin itself. In order to be vigilant, Christians need to ensure that they are not easily persuaded by the powerfulness and deceitfulness of sin.
Sermon Breakdown
- The commandment which was ordained to life I found to be unto death.
- The commandment was given to show what is necessary for life, but it was found to lead to death because no one could keep it.
- The law outlines the holy and happy life, but it condemns us and shows our failure.
- The law could have led to life if it was kept, but it was not kept.
- The law is good if used lawfully, but sin causes us to use it unlawfully.
- Sin deceives us into thinking the law only prohibits actions, not desires. As long as we avoid actions, we think we keep the law.
- When we fail, sin deceives us into thinking we are hopeless, so we might as well sin more.
- Sin deceives us through antinomianism, saying grace means the law does not matter.
- Sin creates antagonism toward the law by making us think God is against us.
- Sin makes the law's demands seem unreasonable and unjust.
- Sin deceives us about ourselves by praising us and telling us to express our sinful instincts.
- Sin makes sin attractive by making it seem pleasant and praiseworthy.
- Sin discourages thinking about the consequences of sin.
- Sin deceives us about sin itself by denying punishment and hell.
- Sin even deceives us about the cross, denying substitutionary atonement and God's wrath.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.