Romans 6:16, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
God has given us many wonderful promises to walk in and live by. His Word assures us that even though we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear evil, for He is with us. Yet, when we choose to step outside of God’s will, we forfeit that promise and are left to rely on our own natural strength to resist temptation.
One of the greatest gifts God has given to us is the freedom to make decisions. Every fall begins with a decision, and every victory over temptation comes from a different decision. When you tempt the devil to tempt you, you provoke God to withdraw His strength and leave you to your own strength.
It’s not our challenges, temptations, troubles that make us fall – it is our reaction to them. Some yield to the pressure and make wrong choices, while others face the same pressure and choose rightly. Whoever you yield yourself to obey – that is whose servant you are (Romans 6:16).
As Christians, we must not give room to the devil’s deception (Ephesians 4:27). That is why it is so important to receive God’s Word not only with our ears but also with our hearts. This requires openness and hunger for His truth. The more God’s Word dominates your heart, the stronger you become in resisting temptation and overcoming sin.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You today – not only to be encouraged by the many promises in Your Word, but also to be ready to resist the temptation to sin. I thank You that You never reject anyone who has made mistakes. Today, I look to You for strength to make good decisions in the light of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.