Published 10/31/19
Read
"Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." (NIV) Romans 6:13
Reflect
Through Christ, we are no longer a slave to it. In fact, we have a new identity in Jesus. Do you believe this? Why or why not? (Please explain.)
Even though sin is not our master because we have the power of the Holy Spirit on our side, Paul also knew that another force is at work in our lives; it's a force that's seeking to destroy our relationship with Christ, distort the truth, and block spiritual growth. I'm talking, of course, about Satan.
His very name means accuser, and despite what some within the church may think, the Scriptures do not portray him as a mere metaphor or symbol of evil. Satan is a created being who rebelled against God. He is very real, very dangerous, and is at work in the world today, enticing his victims toward evil.
The Bible refers to him as "the deceiver" (Revelation 12:9), "an inciter" (1 Chronicles 21:1) "an accuser" (Zechariah 3:1), "a sinner" (1 John 3:8a), "a murderer and a liar" (John 8:44). Scriptures make it clear that he is pure evil. Satan and his troops are viciously attacking the kingdom of God. His target: our souls.
Yet we have hope in Christ. Hebrews 2:14 assures us that the fear Satan held over humanity was rendered powerless by Jesus: "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil."
Pray
Lord, I believe in You. Thank You for breaking the power of sin in my life. Protect me from the enemy. Amen.