For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law but under grace.
(Romans 6:14 NIV)
Sin is the most significant deterrent to living a Spirit-filled life. As believers, we do not have to allow sin to control us. Paul states in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Like Paul, we, too, have been crucified with Christ. As Christ was raised from the dead, we, too, have been given eternal life. We live under the grace that God has freely given us, so sin is no longer master over our lives.
Every believer possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit (Sarayu), the manifestation of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit (Sarayu) is our Counselor. He empowers us to say no to sin. But we must desire to have victory over sin. Ask for God’s help. Turn your back on sin. Submit to God’s authority instead. This is not a “once and for all” choice we make, but a choice we make on a moment-to-moment basis.
Blessings, all.