TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: I CANNOT WALK IN CONSISTENT VICTORY OVER SIN

THE TRUTH:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14

"...knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Romans 6:6

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

As children of God we don't have to sin. We are set free from the bondage of sin through Christ. We can experience victory over sin through God's grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Isn't that good news?

Many times we struggle with the same sin over and over. Even though as believers we desire to obey God, our flesh continues to wage war against the Spirit of God living within us. Each time we choose to obey our flesh, we are setting up sin habit in our lives. Every time we sin in that area, it becomes "easier" for our flesh to continue repeating that sin. We are making a habit of it and we become a slave to that sin. We may do pretty well for a while, but then we find ourselves falling back into that same sin.

Let us not fool ourselves into thinking we are okay if we don't struggle with what some consider big sins like adultery, stealing, murder, etc. What about a sharp tongue, holding grudges, or lack of submission to our husbands? These are sins as well. As Christians, we do not have to obey our flesh. We can choose to yield to The Spirit of God. Don't believe the lie that you can never be free from that sinful habit. Satan would love for you to believe that and keep you in bondage. Run to Christ, determine in your heart to do what is right regardless of how you feel. Walk in the Spirit. Seek to put on love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:20).