Verse
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
— Romans 8:12-13 nlt
Thought
We have no obligation to succumb to temptation. Those of us with a past entrapment to sinful addictions, with current struggles, with sinfully rebellious co-workers and friends surrounding them, and with dysfunctional backgrounds don't have to repeat the destructive patterns in which we've been entrapped. Jesus' sacrifice for our sin makes us right with God. Jesus' resurrection from the dead unleashes a new source of incomparably great power for us. The Holy Spirit who lives in us makes this power available to us. Escaping sins patterns, addictions, and influences is never easy. It is a daily battle to put to death these powers and influences (Col. 3:5). Jesus describes this as denying our self daily, following him, and losing our lives for his sake (Luke 9:23-24). We cannot do this on our own! But, when we surrender our will to the lead of Jesus as Lord and follow the way of the Holy Spirit, we can find a new source of fresh power, the Holy Spirit. Let's ask the Spirit to help us in our daily battle and let's open ourselves to the Spirit's work in our lives (Eph. 1:17-20; Eph. 3:14-21; Eph. 5:17-21; Eph. 6:17-18 give ways to invite the Spirit into our life with power!)
Prayer
O Father, thank you for this promise. Jesus, I praise you for your sacrifice. Holy Spirit, please lead and empower me to overcome the pull of sin and its addictive power in my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus and through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, I praise you for your grace, dear Father! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
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Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
— Romans 8:12-13 nlt
Thought
We have no obligation to succumb to temptation. Those of us with a past entrapment to sinful addictions, with current struggles, with sinfully rebellious co-workers and friends surrounding them, and with dysfunctional backgrounds don't have to repeat the destructive patterns in which we've been entrapped. Jesus' sacrifice for our sin makes us right with God. Jesus' resurrection from the dead unleashes a new source of incomparably great power for us. The Holy Spirit who lives in us makes this power available to us. Escaping sins patterns, addictions, and influences is never easy. It is a daily battle to put to death these powers and influences (Col. 3:5). Jesus describes this as denying our self daily, following him, and losing our lives for his sake (Luke 9:23-24). We cannot do this on our own! But, when we surrender our will to the lead of Jesus as Lord and follow the way of the Holy Spirit, we can find a new source of fresh power, the Holy Spirit. Let's ask the Spirit to help us in our daily battle and let's open ourselves to the Spirit's work in our lives (Eph. 1:17-20; Eph. 3:14-21; Eph. 5:17-21; Eph. 6:17-18 give ways to invite the Spirit into our life with power!)
Prayer
O Father, thank you for this promise. Jesus, I praise you for your sacrifice. Holy Spirit, please lead and empower me to overcome the pull of sin and its addictive power in my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus and through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, I praise you for your grace, dear Father! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
