You Will Live

“But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.” Romans 8:13 NLT

What a great reminder that we can live victoriously over the sins that threaten to destroy us. The opening verses of Romans 8 give us quite a discourse on the difference between being controlled and led by the Spirit of God versus being controlled by our sinful nature.

Just before the text of this devotion, Paul reminds us in Romans 8:12–13a that we have no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do. If we live according to its dictates, the result is death.

The Apostle Paul is not mincing words here. He clearly reminds us that we have a choice concerning who or what will influence the way we live our lives.

Each day we have the opportunity to surrender ourselves to the Spirit of God and allow Him to guide our lives. We get into the most trouble when we rely on our own strength, power, and wisdom. Rarely does that approach work out for our good.

But when we get to the place in our spiritual journey where we fully surrender everything to God, we become far less enamored with sin and self-interest. The prospect of living, truly living, far outweighs following the sinful pathway that leads to death.

There is something especially powerful in Paul’s words: “through the power of the Spirit.”

That is the key. Victory over sin does not come simply because we become stronger, more disciplined, or more determined. We cannot overcome the power of our sinful nature through our own strength. We need a power greater than ourselves.

That power comes through the Spirit of God.

The Spirit gives us the strength to say no to what once controlled us. The Spirit changes our desires, redirects our thoughts, and empowers us to choose what brings life rather than what ultimately leads to death.

Perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons we can learn on our spiritual journey: surrender is not weakness. Surrender is where we discover God's strength.

Sin promises satisfaction but ultimately produces death. The Spirit leads us toward obedience, freedom, and life.

Later in Romans 8, Paul reminds us of another wonderful truth. In verses 38–39, he declares his confidence that absolutely nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.

Think about that.

The same chapter that tells us we do not have to live under the control of our sinful nature also reminds us that we live securely in the love of God.

We are not fighting for God's love. We are living from God's love.

We don't pursue holiness in an attempt to make God love us more. We pursue holiness because we belong to Him, His Spirit lives within us, and He has given us the power to walk in a new way of life.

That means we do not have to surrender to every temptation. We do not have to obey every selfish desire. You don't defeat the sinful nature by trying harder. You defeat it by surrendering deeper. Through the power of the Spirit, choose life, walk in life, and truly live.

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