Mastered

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

— 2 Peter 2:19

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

You came to break and free people from this cycle of sin and depravity. Why is it so alluring? Why do those who are so enslaved by sin seek to bring others down into that prison cell with them? They call it "freedom" — it's literally "fancied liberty, the license to do as one pleases." True freedom is living as we should, not as we please. These people promise a false freedom and a licentious liberty to others while actually being in complete bondage to depravity, corruption, and destruction.

Galatians 6:8 describes this depravity, "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction (corruption, depravity); whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." If we are sowing seeds to please our flesh, the harvest we will reap is destruction, depravity, and corruption and, in effect, our own enslavement. For people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.

The allure of sin is that I can enjoy it and then walk away from it unaffected and unencumbered by it. But sin doesn't operate under those rules. "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more that you want to pay." The initial temptation of sin leads to prolonged and costly consequences. Sin seeks to master us and enslave us. It can't be beaten by our strength or self-will. The only rescue from it comes through the only Man who beat sin at its own game—Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank you for rescuing me from my sin. Today I repent for the moments when I dance with sin thinking it's momentary and I can return from it. I realize now how sin seeks to own me, to master me. But I have chosen You as my Master. I rejoice that sin has no hold on me now!

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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