Summary of this week's sermon
Every week we want to have a 5 day devotional recapping our previous sermon so we can grow deeper together.
This Sunday Pastor Scott continued in our series on Romans. Looking at Romans 6:15-7:25.
Day 1: The Battle Within
Devotional
We've all been there - knowing what's right but choosing what feels good in the moment. Paul's honest confession in Romans reveals a universal truth: even followers of Jesus experience internal conflict between doing right and giving in to temptation. This struggle doesn't mean you're a failure or that your faith isn't real. It means you're human, living in a fallen world while carrying the new nature Christ has given you. The tension you feel between your desires and God's will is actually evidence that His Spirit is at work in your life. Without the Holy Spirit, there would be no conviction, no internal battle - just comfortable rebellion. So when you feel that tug-of-war in your heart, remember it's not a sign of weakness but proof that God is transforming you from the inside out. The battle is real, but so is the victory available to you through Christ.
Bible Verse
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. - Romans 7:19-23
Reflection Question
When you experience internal conflict between what you know is right and what you want to do, how does recognizing this as a normal part of the Christian journey change your perspective?
Quote
Through Jesus, we have the power to never sin again. But we do struggle with our willingness.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that my internal struggles don't disqualify me from Your love. Help me see these moments of tension as opportunities to depend more fully on You.
Day 2: The Danger of Choosing Chains
Devotional
There's a profound difference between stumbling and choosing to stay down. When we repeatedly choose sin despite knowing better, we're essentially telling God we prefer our old chains to His freedom. This isn't about perfection - it's about direction. Habitual sin is particularly dangerous because it represents a deliberate choice to live under sin's authority even though Christ has set us free. Think of it like a prisoner whose cell door has been unlocked but who chooses to stay inside because it feels familiar. Every time we choose sin, we temporarily put ourselves back under our old master's authority. The good news? We're not stuck there. Each moment offers a fresh opportunity to choose freedom. God's grace doesn't run out, and His power to transform us never diminishes. The question isn't whether you'll face temptation - you will. The question is whether you'll remember who you really are: a child of God with the power to choose freedom over familiar bondage.
Bible Verse
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. - Romans 6:17-18
Reflection Question
What areas of your life might you be choosing familiar chains over the freedom Christ offers, and what would it look like to actively choose freedom today?
Quote
Habitual sin is a choice, not a reaction. Habitual sin in the life of a follower of Jesus is really, really dangerous because we're basically telling God that I didn't want to be removed from the sinful act, and I'm going to continue in it even though I believe that you died for me to set me free from it.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I choose familiar sin over Your freedom. Give me the courage to walk in the liberty You've already provided.
Day 3: The Deception of Sin
Devotional
Sin is a master manipulator. It promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. It claims nobody will know, but secrets have a way of surfacing. It whispers that you deserve this moment of pleasure, but never mentions the cost. Understanding sin's deceptive nature is crucial for victory. When God sets boundaries, our fallen hearts are immediately drawn to cross them - not because the boundaries are bad, but because rebellion feels like freedom. Sin takes good things and twists them into destructive patterns. It exploits our legitimate needs and desires, offering counterfeit solutions that ultimately leave us more broken than before. The key to overcoming deception is truth. When temptation whispers its lies, counter with God's truth. When sin promises fulfillment, remember that only God truly satisfies. When shame tries to keep you hiding, remember that confession brings freedom. Sin's power lies in darkness and isolation, but it crumbles in the light of truth and community.
Bible Verse
But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. - Romans 7:8-9
Reflection Question
What lies has sin been whispering to you lately, and how can you counter those deceptions with God's truth?
Quote
Sin promises you satisfaction. Sin claims that there is a reason to do it. Sin claims, hey, nobody has to know.
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize sin's deceptions before I fall for them. Fill my mind with Your truth so I can see clearly when temptation comes.
Day 4: The Futility of Fighting Alone
Devotional
Paul tried to fight sin in his own strength and failed miserably. In his struggle, he referred to himself 40 times, revealing the exhausting cycle of self-reliance. Maybe you've been there too - gritting your teeth, making promises to do better, only to find yourself defeated again. There's something beautifully liberating about admitting you can't win this battle alone. It's not weakness; it's wisdom. It's not giving up; it's giving in to the right authority. When we try to overcome sin through willpower alone, we're essentially saying we can do what only Christ can do. But when we acknowledge our need for a Savior, we position ourselves to receive His strength. The Christian life isn't about becoming strong enough to defeat sin - it's about becoming humble enough to let Jesus fight for us. Your struggles don't disqualify you from God's love; they qualify you for His grace. Stop trying to clean yourself up before coming to Jesus. Come messy, come broken, come desperate - that's exactly how He wants you.
Bible Verse
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:24-25
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life have you been trying to fight sin in your own strength instead of surrendering the battle to Jesus?
Quote
There is such beauty in recognizing that you don't have the ability to win this battle on your own. There is such peace in knowing that you don't have to fight this battle alone.
Prayer
Jesus, I admit I can't win this battle alone. I surrender my struggles to You and ask for Your strength where I am weak.
Day 5: Victory Over Surrender
Devotional
The path to victory over sin isn't through trying harder - it's through surrendering completely. When we bring our struggles to Jesus instead of hiding them, His gospel brings transformation. This doesn't mean we become passive; it means we become dependent on the right source of power. Victory comes not through perfection but through confession, not through hiding but through honesty. James reminds us that confession to trusted believers brings healing and breakthrough. There's no shame in admitting you're a sinner - that's what qualifies you for God's grace. The enemy wants you to believe you're too far gone, too broken, too repetitive in your failures. But God's love isn't based on your performance; it's based on Christ's finished work. Every time you fall, you have a choice: stay down in shame or get up in grace. Choose grace. Bring your sin to the throne of Jesus, where mercy triumphs over judgment and love covers a multitude of failures. You don't have to fight alone, and you don't have to win alone - Jesus has already won.
Bible Verse
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:16
Reflection Question
What sin or struggle do you need to stop hiding and instead bring to Jesus and trusted believers for prayer and support?
Quote
When we bring our sin to the throne of Jesus, the gospel of Jesus will bring victory over sin.
Prayer
Father, I choose to walk in the light rather than hide in darkness. Thank You that Your grace is greater than my failures and Your love never fails.