TEXT: 1 PETER 1:14–15 KJV
[14] as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Discussion
Today’s devotional focused on how we must ensure that we do not go back to the things we used to do before we met the Lord.
After we give our lives to Jesus Christ, there are many things we used to do that must no longer be seen in us. Our Bible text today emphasises the correlation between obedience and not returning to our former lusts. This means that the Holy Spirit will always give us warning signs when Satan tries to lure us back into our former lusts, but we must insist that we are not going back to the things we used to do.
The Bible refers to the person we used to be as the old man.
Ephesians 4:22–24:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”
Verse 23:
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;”
Verse 24:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
To be honest, we shall keep fighting against this old man daily until the end. Giving our lives to Jesus does not mean that the old ways of life will never try to resurface. However, we have to make up our minds that we are no longer going back to our old ways, and God will begin to give us the grace daily to win the battle against the flesh. That is why daily devotion with God is very important.
No matter how many years you have been a Christian, the old man will never give up trying to bring you back to the things you used to do. Sometimes, the things we used to do may be as simple as gossip, backbiting, etc. But the moment you realise that the old man is resurfacing, run to God quickly for help.
We must identify the area or areas where we are constantly struggling with lust. Those things that entice us so much that we feel we cannot do without them may be drawing us away from God, and we have to get rid of them. Sometimes, we might need to distance ourselves from certain friendships or associations. Satan knows what we like, and he will always bring those old ways and things back to us, but we must say, “No, thank you.”
As we follow Him daily in obedience to His Word and tell Him in prayer about the areas where we have been struggling with these lusts, we are gradually being transformed into His image. We also gain the boldness and confidence to tell the enemy of our souls that we have been bought with a price and our bodies belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Declarations:
I shall not go back to the world. The things I used to do before I met the Lord are gone, and I am a new creature. Thank You, Jesus.
Light Up Christian Fellowship
