Serpent. Lion. Dragon. Three of the most dangerous and fierce enemies of humanity in our natural world.
Each of these deadly predators in the animal world is used metaphorically about Satan whose puppet-tyrant is named “Sin”.
In Romans 7, Paul uses three bold strokes on the canvas of Scripture to impress upon our minds the horrific dangers of sin. These three strokes are:
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Sin is opportunistic. “But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead…And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me” (vv. 8, 10-11).
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Sin is utterly evil. “Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful” (v. 13).
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Sin is tyrannical, bloodthirsty, and enslaving. “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (v. 23).
How much human heartache, tears, and misery could be compounded into the maxim: Sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay.
Beloved, beware of this heinous serpent/lion/dragon.
