The Evil of our Natural Inclinations

by Pat Canavan August 14, 2014 Scripture: Proverbs 28:21

Proverbs 28:21

To show partiality is not good,
but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

This proverb shows the depravity of mankind. The sin of partiality is a very common sin in our experience. We can all be guilty of it from time to time. And we can fall into this sin without much temptation (a piece of bread). It doesn’t take much for us to sin. We can fall into sin without much in the way of alluring temptation. Something common and ordinary like a crust of bread can trigger a fall. It shows how predisposed we are to sin. We have a built-in default and no one needs to spend much time talking us into sin. We can do sin very well on our own, thank you.

The sin of partiality shows the pervasiveness of sin too. There is, of course, the blatant bribe, but there is also the hidden inclinations of the heart and bent of mind that favors one thing or person over another and is usually motivated by yet another sinful impulse or desire.  A simple word can hurt just as much in this realm of sin as an act can. Partiality is a quiet sin not noticed too readily. It is a sin that may do no obvious or immediate harm and yet it can divide and separate in ways that are as effective as envy and pride.

Then there is the greatest partiality of all—our partiality to sin itself and all the selfish desires that harvest a world of other sins. Without the grace of Christ and work of the Holy Spirit we are prone to wander and follow the devices of our hearts. We are partial to evil as it is expressed in our flesh and this ever-present world. Only this grace can give us hearts inclined to that which is good. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can give us new hearts that are prone to please God and resist temptation.

We should pray for a change in our overall partiality toward sin and seek to follow after the one true God. 

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