Who Is Your Master?

¹² Do not let sin control the way you live;^[a] do not give in to sinful desires. ¹³ Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. ¹⁴ Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

-Romans 6:12-14 (NLT)

What is controlling your life? Is it God, or is it sinful desires? Paul gives us some practical advice in these passages to help keep sin from controlling our lives.

Verse 12 says, "Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires." Sometimes, this is easier said than done. For the Christian, I really think we have a desire to be separate from sin, we just don't know how. One thing we must realize, if we are going to separate ourselves from sin, is where it comes from. Romans 6:16 says, "Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living." Whatever we choose to obey is what will take control of our lives. If we choose to obey God, and do His Will for our lives, that leads to the things of God. If we choose to obey sin, and do our own sinful desires, it will lead to death. What are you obeying today? Paul teaches not to let sin control our lives. Paul tells us not to give in to those sinful desires. The words "give in" signify that it is a choice. When you fall into sin, it is because of the choices you've made. God didn't force you to sin, the devil didn't make you sin, you sin because you chose to sin. Because of your choice to sin, you have become a slave to sin, because that is what you chose to obey. Paul says not to do that, he says not to give into your sinful desires.


Verse 13 says, "Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God." Notice the words of Paul here. "Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin." When we chose to sin, we become an instrument of evil. Think about that. When you chose to tell a lie, you are allowing your tongue to become an instrument of evil. When you choose to look at pornography, you are allowing your eyes to become an instrument of evil. When you steal, you are allowing your hands to become an instrument of evil. Friends, we shouldn't yield our lives to sin. The rest of verse 13 teaches us to give ourselves completely  to God. We need to give all of ourselves to God, so that we can become an instrument of righteousness. Are you ready to do that.


One last thing about the power of sin in our lives is found at the start of verse 14. "Sin is no longer your master." If you've given your life to Christ, then sin is not your master. You don't have to give into the calling of sin. You can choose to ignore it, and answer the call of God. What is your master today? Is it sin? Or are you following Christ? Think About It.