The Good News In 10 DaysSample

Day 9

One-Minute Devotion

One Thought, One Prayer, One Scripture

At the risk of sounding terribly naive, I want to say that, as believers, sin has no power over us except what we voluntarily give it. Our "old self' is a broken man pleading for our sympathy. "A crust of bread," he cries, "a helping hand for an old friend." So harmless, so pathetic, does he seem that we are often tempted to share our life with him. When we do, however, we discover that he is almost immediately transformed into the "strong man" again. Experience has taught me that a single "yes" can undo a hundred "no's" and can put me under his tyranny once more. Our only hope, then, is to deny him at every turn. Or as Paul writes, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).

Lord Jesus, empower me to deal ruthlessly with the "old man" lest I empower him. May I seek only to please You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.