photo by artethgray

though you used to be slaves to sin

The drink had become my master.  I was in total bondage and would do what I could to get that drink.  Rain, sleet, snow, or hail, I would have something to drink no matter how far I had to go to get it.  Getting close to the point where I would do anything to get it I’m afraid.  Seriously, it scares me how far down the dark road I had traveled.

The chains of addiction constantly dragging behind me.  Slowing me down.  Tripping me up.  Causing deep scaring wounds that never seemed to heal and the only way to ease the pain was doing what the master said. 

I ran the gauntlet of death as a slave to sin.  Sin had become just another word with no meaning, no feelings, no fear.  The master of sin had convinced me that nothing significant would happen to me.  He convinced me that there was no better life than the life I was living. 

He led me to believe that God was not.  Yes, I believed him.  After all, look at what God had not done for me.  This evil master had such a way with words, feelings, thoughts, that it was so easy to just let go and live the lie he promised.

I’m sure we’ve all at some point in our lives felt that bondage.  I guess bondage is used two fold in this post.  One being addiction and one being sin.  Wait, is addiction itself a sin?  Well, the good thing is the chains of each are not so strong that they can not be broken.

I don’t want you think that addiction only applies to drugs and alcohol.  You/We can be addicted to anything.  That anything can control our lives.  Food, money, TV, ourselves.  What?  You don’t think someone can be addicted to themselves?  My heart says we sure can.  All of these, and more, could be addictions.  And I do think that they could all be sinful.  Do you have an addiction?  You should probably think about that for a little while.

So, how am I supposed to overcome these addictions?  How are we supposed to overcome these sins?

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Paul said that if you want to be free from the bondage of sin, just change your mind.

⁵Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ⁷the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. –Romans 8:5-8

How is that changing your mind?  Well before, our minds are set on what nature desires.  Then we change our mind and live with our minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

As many times as I read that chapter preparing for my Sunday morning class, that never dawned on me until one of our ministers spoke of this as a “change your thoughts” passage.  God’s Word is amazing.

Anyway, my mind was set on those sinful things for such a long time.  Then, that one day, I changed my mind.  I was tired of living like that. 

See, God had paid a hefty price for me a long time ago.  Which meant that in reality, I belonged to him.  I should be his servant, his slave.  But, I ran away.  I didn’t like what he was wanting me to do. 

I ran to sin, to satan, who had no rights to me.  He sure didn’t purchase me with anything.  Why should I have to listen to what he says?  God owns me.  I can run back to him and he will gladly take me back and give me shelter from the one who is chasing me.

Being a slave to righteousness also meant that there would be no more sin in my life.  Because if I did sin, well, then that meant that I was still a slave to sin and I can’t serve two masters.  Right? 

Right and Nope.  There will always be sin, thoughts of sin, because the devil still wants us to serve him.  BUT, as long as our minds are on what the Spirit desires and we are not obeying what the devil is wanting us to do, we are still not slaves to sin.  Which means we can, without fear, tell satan to get lost and turn to the Master for help in dealing with this fool, satan! 

How cool is that!?!  That’s kinda what I hear Paul saying in this passage:

11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do 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. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. -Romans 6:11-14

So, what are you thinking about?  Where are your thoughts?  Who are you serving?  I mean, you are a slave so, the answer to the title, “Are you a slave?” is yes.

The real question should be who do you want to be serving?

Because of HIM

SC

“The devil tempts all other men, but idle men tempt the devil”

-Turkish Proverb

 

 

 

I was attacked today by that pesky little Devil, or one of his demons.  Man, he makes me so angry.  I guess that is what he sets out to do everyday, his purpose, his desire.  I’m sure he does everything in his power to get into my head, my heart, and my soul.

Most everyday I can see him, sense him, hiding here or there.  I can feel him walking right behind me, waiting for my guard to be let down even the slightest. When I do let it down, even just a little, He will jump at the opportunity to attack.  

Some days, though, I can get my guard up fast enough block. I can punch him back into submission. Fling him off of my back.  Or just plain push him away and no harm is done.  Just a reminder “Scott, he is right there, keep your guard up.”  

This scenario seems to happen more often than not.  When it does happen, man, I’M ON TOP OF THE WORLD!! Coming down is not an option.  Me and my God will beat you at anything.  I mean, I’m sure you have beat the devil back and know how good that feels.

But alas, I fear that pushing him away only seems to make him stronger.  Gives him more desire.  In which case we too must build up our defenses.  Today I must have been at one of my weakest, left a hole in the wall.  I know what I’ve done.  I tried to do something on my own instead of relying on God to take me where I should go. That will never, ever, work. Here’s why… 

My guard was too far down today, I suppose.  Suddenly I felt him, the demon, on my back. Reaching around, claws first, to tear at my heart.  To break down more of the wall between me and God.  I felt His hot breath on my neck.  His putrid smell filling my nostrils.  Grasping me, punching me from the inside.  Trying to get at my soul and make me one of his own. He’s in my blood, my mind.  I tried to fight him off, I did, but it must have been to late.  I tried to push him away, but he was a bit more stubborn than I.  My strength to fight was gone.  Before I knew it he had me by the heart.  Pushing me to anger. Forcing me to act upon things I should not act.  These same things that I have been able to guard against in the past.  He preyed upon my weaknesses.  

I CRIED OUT TO GOD!!! who quickly reached down and took my hand.  He pulled me to the safety of his arms.  Helped me out once again.  

“Well,” I said, “I guess I did it again God.  I’m sorry that I thought I was strong enough to do this without you.  Thank you so much for being there when I needed you.”  

I could almost hear him say, “It’s ok.  Your just a child. Chin up. You’ll learn.  Just remember to ask ahead of time.”

SC

Oh, the demon I fought? Anger.