“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test.” 2 Corinthians 13:5
You can be sure to find out if Christ Jesus is among you by evaluating your life according to Romans 8, and
Galatians 5:13-26 both speak of two areas in our lives that are the most important.
- Being dominated by our sinful nature
- Being controlled by the Spirit.
“Those who are dominated by their sinful nature think about sinful things.” Romans 8:5
For those who live in this way do not have Jesus Christ among them. They follow the desires of their sinful nature. (Galatians 5:19)
Do you see that, those who are dominated by it, follow it, give into it, and live in it? Christ is not among that type of living or those people! If you have even a hint of God’s word in you and you know that God says certain ways of living are wrong and you continue to do it and live in it, then listen to what 1 John 3:7-10 says
“Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive (if you recall we discussed in an earlier devotional who the deceiver is Satan Himself and who his helpers are –the angels that had fallen with him, and all those who live under Satan’s’ control-you can find this in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15) you about this: When people do what is right, it is because they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not sin, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the Devil. Anyone who does not obey God’s commands and does not love other Christians does not belong to God.”
If our lives are being dominated by our sinful nature, and we are continuing to sin, which would be called deliberate sin, than the Apostle John says we belong to the Devil. Are you getting that with me friend, even if you claim to know some of God’s word, if Christ is not IN you, then you belong to the Devil. WOW!
If you even back up a verse John says, “So if we continue to live in him, we won’t sin either. But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is.” 1 John 3:6
When you belong to the Devil and follow the desires of your sinful nature your lives produces this; and if you don’t mind let’s just put them in detail. Sometimes we need to see it and hear it in order for it to sink in.
Sexual Immorality-if you are sleeping around, living with your boyfriend/ girlfriend, living a life of homosexuality, having sex outside of marriage, etc.
Impure thoughts- hateful, vindictive, spiteful, lustful, negative, basically any thought other than God’s word.
Eagerness for lustful pleasure- pornography, prostitution, sex, alcohol, lying, drugs, money, attention etc.
Idolatry-worshipping things other than God, our money, our jobs, ourselves…
Participation in demonic activities-umm…weegie boards, Psychics, palm readers, speaking to the dead (hilarious, really?) it’s sad that even our Disney channel airs shows like Wizards of Waverly or any other show that deals with witches and magic, it is just not an activity of God, He is the only one with the power!
Hostility-unfriendliness, acts of anger that lead to killing, hurt, or any manner that one would want to inflict pain onto another. One who is hostile towards God and His word and those who serve God.
Quarreling-complaining, arguing, holding grudges, and/or bickering.
Jealousy-negative attitude towards another because of your own insecurities!
Outbursts of anger-you lack self-control, instead of praying you yell back and react quickly. You accuse others, you are defensive, and can even inflict pain on someone.Temper tantrums!
Selfish ambition- you think only of yourself. Everything you do is to better you and not others!
Divisions-anyone who refuses to be corrected, anyone who involves themselves in foolish discussions, those who cause dissension and strife.
Feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group-That would define Religion!
Envy-discontent or resentment towards others because of their success, life, advantages, talents, gifts.
Drunkenness-excess drinking, intoxication, losing your ability to think, and even function correctly.
Wild parties-drunkenness, sexual immorality, could even include demonic activity, drugs, if the world offers it will probably be there.
Understand something very important brethren, if you are living in one, some, or all of these sins, and you are doing them willfully, STOP; these are not of Christ they are of the Devil. “Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live.” Titus 1:16
“If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing. Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
If your toes are being stepped on and you feel an overwhelming since of conviction, O’ Praise God my friend, run to the foot of the Cross, cry out to Jesus for help, let Him restore you. He died for you, you can be forgiven, confess and repent, don’t go back to that way of living ANYMORE.
But if you don’t feel convicted and you don’t think that what you are doing is wrong, even after hearing it from the Word of God, O’ sweet friend that is called blindness! Maybe along with denial you get angry and offended I ask that you stop and read Hebrews 4:12-13 for then you will understand that your reactions are because of the power of the Word of God. Cry to God to restore your vision. Stop and turn to Him now, seek help, stop and pray. It is not too late, today is the day of Salvation! Don’t belong to Satan, He only wants to lead you to his eternal home where there is burning that never ends, pain that never ceases or let’s up, maggots that never stop crawling, and cries for help that will never end or be heard.
Prayer: Lord if there is anyone reading this today that is being dominated by their sinful nature, I ask that You remove the veil from over their eyes today! O’ Father just as You I want to see as many people come to know You, serve You, hunger for You, and strive to be like You. Father I believe in the power of Your word, and the work of the Holy Spirit, I believe that You will take all that You have spoken through me and use it for Your glory to change the life of someone today. Amen
