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Romans 6:20-22 “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”

To be free from God is to be a slave of demonic torment, sin, sickness, and death. To receive Christ as Lord and Master is to be a slave of Christ’s Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, humility, inner strength, and faith. Divine wisdom and knowledge are part of the package.

John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’“

And it is indeed slavery.

Romans 7:14-15 “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

That was the Apostle Paul speaking. He does go on to explain that the fleshly nature is sold under sin, but he no longer identifies with his sinful nature. This is a very important point. We ought not to identify with our fleshly natures. We ought not to see each other after the flesh. We now identify with the Christ within. Christ in you never sins. Your fleshly nature can’t do anything but sin. Christ in you is holy and growing. Your fleshly nature can’t be reformed, but it is diminished each time you yield yourself to the leading and power of God for righteousness.

If something is done without faith, it is sin (Romans 14:23). But faith comes from hearing God’s leading (Romans 10:17), which means true faith listens to God, trusts God, and follows God. Sin, then, is anything done without God’s direction, while righteousness is letting God lead and work through you.

Many churches and schools emphasize rules and traditions instead of teaching people how to listen to God and follow Him. But God is patient, always working to bring His people into a deeper understanding of His truth.

Ask God to answer these questions.

1. What are the fruits of being a slave to sin?
2. What are the fruits of being a slave to God?
3. What is your fleshly nature?
4. Why shouldn’t you identify with your sinful nature?
5. What does it mean for you to yield to God’s power for righteousness?

Bonus questions:

1. What does it mean for you to be “free in regard to righteousness” if you’re enslaved to sin (Romans 6:20)?
2. How does the fruit of sin that leads to shame and death contrast with the fruit of sanctification and eternal life (Romans 6:21-22)?
3. How can you be set free from sin and become a slave of God?
4. Why is everyone who practices sin a slave to sin?
5. Why should you stop identifying with the sinful, fleshly nature but rather identifying with Christ within?
6. Why can’t you reform your fleshly nature?
7. How does your fleshly nature diminish each time you yield to God?

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.

Memory Verse Song

Memorize John 8:34 by writing a song.
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’“

Make up a song melody to the words of the verse. Record a video of yourself singing the song and post it on social media. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in this. (Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.) Take what you learned, your notes or what you produced and videotape yourself. Be a kid influencer for Christ with your own social media platform by uploading your video as God leads.

Additional Reading

Who Are You?