When Our Choices Enslave Us
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay” (Author unknown).
The gravity of our poor choices is huge.
Romans 6:16 (ESV) helps us understand the seriousness of sin:
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
What sin (from your past or your present) pops into your mind when you read this verse? How has being enslaved to this behavior affected you emotionally? How much worse will your life be if you remain enslaved for another year? For another decade?
For the rest of your life?
We know that addictions, stealing, lying, etc. take their toll on every area of our lives – including our mental health. But what about the “smaller” sins and bad choices we struggle with every day? Just because we don’t rank these behaviors as major sins doesn’t mean they don’t affect us.
When we’re critical and judgmental, doesn’t it make us sad to see our relationships suffer and sometimes end? When we constantly give in to procrastination, doesn’t it discourage us when we miss an important deadline and realize a coveted opportunity has expired? When we consistently eat more than we should, don’t we feel depressed when the extra pounds stay “longer than we want them to stay?”
Yet, when we consistently yield to God’s grace, we can be supportive in our relationships, meet deadlines, and stick to a healthier eating plan. Our sleep will be sweeter because our days are more satisfying.
Are we going to follow God and live for Him each day – one choice at a time – or are we going to remain enslaved to behavior we hate more and more every day?
As we spend more time meditating on Scripture and making ourselves accountable to a godly mentor or small group, our victory over sin will dramatically increase and we’ll become more emotionally stable.
Instead of allowing sin and bad choices take us farther than we want to go in a direction we have no desire to stay in, let’s allow righteousness and good choices take us even farther than we ever hoped – in a better and more purposeful direction.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- How much worse will your life be if you remain enslaved to your sin for another year? Even another day?
- How has being enslaved to your destructive behavior affected you emotionally?
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I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post.
Good morning Sheryl. One thing my husband and I learned this past weekend as a couple. While attending a marriage Retreat. We are to love our spouse as Jesus loves our spouse. Also go forward and,once you have worked something out and forgiven each other. Do not dwell on what happened but go forward.The couple told us to use the term stop digging up bones. So that we could continue to improve in our walk with God and each other. I don’t know if this is what you were exactly looking for in this devotional.
Yes. Your experience at the marriage retreat fits perfectly with the theme of my devotion, Susan. Thank you for sharing it with us. Was it a Love & Respect marriage conference?
The theme was Better Together. A Pastor and His wife would talk about different phases in their relationship and,talk about what they got right and what they did not.
It sounds like an amazing marriage retreat!
Sheryl I am going to open up my husband and my heart to see our God really helped us at the Better Together Marriage Retreat led by Tim and Jaye Brice . A pastor and his wife that Br. Andy and his wife knew well.They talked about the things they did right and the things they did wrong In their relationship. I had mixed feelings going into the conference. Lance and I have been married 40 years. This was our first Marriage conference to attend. They talked about the importance of couple time and family time. The couples that had been married longer were able to encourage the younger couples with small children During question and answer time the toughest part for Lance and me. Was Tim said something cannot remember exactly words but,it was something along the line as they get older it get easier. I am sitting in my chair shaking my head no. We were coming to a close that night. So I decided to pray and wait for Saturday morning session. When that session came God had blessed us both with a great sleep. I enjoyed some quiet time with God and, then went out on the deck of the beach house and sat with him.After everyone got around and we took care of chores.We went to join the other couples for breakfast and our last session. It turned out Tim said we are opening this time for subjects we have not covered. So please let us know what you need us to discuss.All of a sudden Lance raised his hand and ,when he stood up I felt his hands on my shoulders.i know that was a God thing because, when he started talking about our3 daughters and the paths they are walking. Honestly Sheryl I wanted to bolt out the door but,I felt God ‘s strength through my husband’s arms that day and,when Tim asked if they could have their names so he could pray for them. We gave them and said yes but,next thing I knew before Tim could start praying. My husband started crying out to God in prayer when I heard his brokenness in his voice and tears. It made me cry.Then Tim lifted the girls up in prayer and people around us came and put their hands on us.Trusting in God this will help us come together as a couple searching scripture and talking through this chapter going on with our children (our wayward Lambs)
Wow!! I love how God moved after Lance opened his heart to the group.
I will pray for God to continue the work HE has already begun!
Amen!!
Thank you for sharing this, Susan. I love it!
It’s easy to slip into being critical or a complaining mode when we aren’t depending on God to lead us on His righteous path. I find when I ask God to help me to improve relationships or give me a grateful heart instead of a complaining spirit, it makes such a major difference in my day. All we have to do is “ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7. Thanks Sheryl!
You are SO correct on every point of your comment, Kim. I especially love the line, “I find when I ask God to help me improve relationships or give me a grateful heart instead of a complaining spirit, it makes such a major difference in my day.” Well said!