Title: Innocence Is Better/ Topic: Wisdom

Today's Reading: Romans 13; Romans 14; Romans 15; Romans 16

Scripture: Romans 16:19
19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Observation: Obedience is good; it leads to joy for others and for oneself. And wisdom is knowing what is good, which according to Hebrews 5:14 takes maturity (“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”). Wisdom understands and distinguishes the difference between good and evil and yet is innocent about what is evil; being innocent infers that one hasn't had personal experience with engaging in evil behavior.

Application: I have a quote in my Bible which reads: “Innocence is better than penitence (repentance)”. I don't know who the quote is from but it expresses well the truth in this scripture. Some people learn from being instructed in what is right and wrong. They obey what they are told and their submission to their teachers keeps them from much pain because they stay on the path of goodness and have many blessings as a result. Others are more stubborn and have to learn the hard way through experience. The result is a lifetime of struggle against temptations that they opened themselves to unnecessarily through disobedience. I want to be one who learns from those who teach me and from the Word of God without having to “experience” all that life offers. A lot of what life offers isn't worth spit.

Prayer: Father, I want to be a child who brings joy to your heart by listening and learning without going astray. I don't want my heart t be hard. I desire to be a daughter who is not a lot of work for you but one who makes you proud. May I be one who is wise about what is good and innocent about evil.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.