Return to the Main Menu
Previous Devotional
Next Devotional

Some people teach a false doctrine. They say, “Go ahead and sin. It won’t hurt you. Jesus will forgive you. Peter wrote about that, and in 2 Peter 2:19 he said, “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”

Some people claim to be sinless, and we will all be sinless one day. Christ who lives in us is sinless, but we each have a carnal nature that can’t do right. You can’t reform your carnal nature or fix it. You can refuse to do what it tells you to do. You can read 1 John 1:8-9 that says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The word “sin” means stepping or slipping off the Path. Jesus is the Path. If we tell God we’re sorry for stepping off the Path and not following Jesus, God will say, “I forgive you and wash you clean.” Then He will put you back on the Path where you jumped off the Path. He’ll put you back into the presence of Jesus so His Spirit can lead you.

God doesn’t tempt you. The devil, the world systems, and your sinful, carnal nature tempt you. For example, James 1:14-15 says “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” And yet, you are set free if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and slavery. Look at what John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

While many churches and schools emphasize rules and traditions instead of teaching people how to listen to God and follow Him, God wants a relationship. He explains this in Romans 14:23 where is says anything not done in faith is sin. Then, in Romans 10:17, He explains that faith comes by listening to Him. Jesus said, we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Life and everything good starts when God speaks and we listen and yield ourselves to His love.

Ask God to answer these questions.

1. What does it mean to be a slave of corruption?
2. In what sense can you live sin-free right now?
3. What is your carnal nature?
4. What does it mean to step off the Path?
5. How does God forgive you when you sin?

Bonus questions:

1. Who tempts you to sin? (Name all of them.)
2. Why can’t your carnal nature be reformed or fixed?
3. False teachers promise freedom (2 Peter 2:19) but are slaves of corruption. Their false teachings enslave people to corruption. What do you know about modern examples of this?
4. What does it mean for you to be free indeed, especially when facing temptations?
5. Why does God allow temptation?

1. Pray for the Lord to protect you and keep you in His presence and His presence only.
2. Direct your mind toward the Lord only.
3. Ask God what He want’s to talk about.
4. You can ask God any questions. In all of this, be led by the Holy Spirit. God promises that He will answer you if you ask Him.
5. Do not edit or change what God says even if you don’t understand it.
6. Reject the lies and receive the truth.
7. Take notes.
8. Transfer your notes to your journal without editing what God said to you.

Keep in mind that God doesn’t want you to ever disconnect from Him. He wants to flow through you constantly in knowledge, wisdom, and love.