Scripture to Read: Romans 16:18
We continue today, picking up where we left off yesterday, about dealing with people who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to God’s Holy Word. In Romans 16:18, God led Paul to write, “For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” So, God says that these people who cause the problems are “slaves of their own appetites.” God’s Word ties so beautifully together, for we find that God says this in James 4:1–4, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” God clearly teaches us that the “slaves of their own appetites” are slaves to their flesh. God does not want us to submit to our fleshly desires but to be surrendered to Him so that we serve Him well through serving each other (Colossians 3:23–24). Nevertheless, we must be on guard so we do not fall prey to the snares of the devil.
Challenge & Application
· How are you crucifying your pleasures that wage war in your members so you walk humbly with our Lord?
· What must you do to serve our Lord well and guard against the snares of the devil?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!