Two summers ago in our community, a 34-year-old man was strangled by his pet boa constrictor. It took place in his home as he was showing off the snake to a friend. Cory Byrne died in a local hospital just hours after police officers and paramedics pried the 9-foot snake from his neck.
After you were born, a pet boa constrictor of sorts was present with you in your crib. As you have grown older, the deadly snake has remained by your side. At times, you have willfully played with your pet.
Before you were born again through faith in Jesus, you had no idea how much danger you were in because of this pet. Now your eyes have been opened....but you are still tempted every day to enjoy spending time with your pet snake.
Your corrupt nature is filled with desires that resemble those of an evil snake who showed up thousands of years ago in the Garden of Eden. That snake was responsible for encouraging Adam and Eve to adopt their own pet snake. "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say....?" (Genesis 3:1) The devil invited Adam and Eve to question, and then go against, the authority and truthfulness of God's Word. r/>That was a quick path to disaster.
Here is what God really does say to believers: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Colossians 3:5-8)
As a forgiven child of God who has died to self, kill your sin before it kills you. "Put to death" means "Kill it." Don't feed it....don't meditate on it....don't entertain it....don't enjoy its presence. Kill it. Reject it. Stomp on it through faith in the blood of Jesus. Read more
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