Our carnal nature will always deceive the self, convincing us that our behavior is not so bad, but Paul realized the addictive, toxic nature of sin.

Sin is driven by the attitudes of Satan, the Adversary of God and man, and it is the cause of the misery and destruction we witness everywhere.

Though influenced by Satan and the world, sin is still a personal choice. Christ's sacrifice and God's Spirit provide our only defense against its pulls.

As God calls people to service in the church, He demands that they not be enslaved to alcohol or any other lust, but have their desires under control.

Though relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.

Younger Americans have been spoiled by the sacrifices of preceding generations, and many do not realize the responsibilities freedom imposes. Freedom is not free.

Ideas of independence apart from God emanate from carnal human nature which is aligned to the rebellious mind of Satan.

Many try to undermine the credibility of Scripture. If they can overturn it, they reason, they will be free to have all the fun non-Christians supposedly have.

A piece of paper, such as Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, does not really set people free, especially from the slavery of human nature.

God is putting us through exercises to create leaders in His image. His covenants are a primary tool in this process.

Israel's trek was not only a physical journey, but a mental wandering caused by rejecting God's leadership. The potential to sin is a test of resolve.

As long as we are slaves of sin and following the dictates of our lusts, we have no free moral agency. God liberates us from sin so we are free to obey Him.

God has freed us from the bondage of sin, the breaking of His law. Liberty comes only from obeying God and accepting the positive yoke of Jesus Christ.

We are in various stages of our wilderness journey, not knowing where our journey will take us. The turns give us opportunities to strengthen our faith.

Christians must continue to fight against self-centered and deception long after their calling to deepen and strengthen their relationships with God.

The overriding issue of life is to whom we will give ourselves in obedience. Will it be ourselves, society, business, Satan or God?

Any freedom to choose must be accompanied by a set of standards against which choices are made. The people of the world do not have this freedom.

Our fear of being judged negatively by God should spur us to greater obedience and growth toward godliness. The fear of God is a fundamental mindset.

The approach of 'I want it my way' begins with license but then leads to chaos, and eventually the loss of liberty.

Individuals from stable families or those having a network of healthy relationships are less vulnerable to addiction than those who suffer isolation.

Paul appealed to his old friend Philemon after his slave Onesimus ran away, stealing his money, running to Rome to assist Paul during his imprisonment.

Understanding our obligation to Christ leads to a deeply held loyalty to Him. Our redemption should make us strive to please Him in every facet of life.

Christian freedom has nothing to do with location or circumstance but how we think. By imbibing on God's Word, we will incrementally displace our carnality.

As we are liberated from the bondage of sin, we are now free because we are slaves of righteousness, ironically the only true and lasting liberty.

Jesus explains that the truth is the only thing that will set us free. A major player in our lives or spiritual journey is the truth and how we use it.

Even though sin offers fleeting pleasure, we must learn to intensely hate sin, regarding this product of Satan as a destroyer of everything God loves.

Nothing happens in our lives (including repentance) until God initiates it. A change of heart, by God's Holy Spirit, results in a total change of direction.