Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you, but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
How we can all relate to at least some of the mentioned lifestyles in this scripture. The joyful part is when it says, “such WERE some of you”. One thing I have realized is that because we have been sanctified, justified and washed through the blood of Jesus Christ, it does not mean that some of those old man life styles and demonic influences don’t try to creep back up from the dead. It is our responsibility to daily die to the flesh and crucify these fleshly appetites. There is no sin in fighting temptation nor is there sin in being tempted, but there is sin in giving into the temptation and not getting back up. You have to get back up and get out of guilt!
Don’t let the devil put you on a trip if you are tempted with things that seem so evil. Your temptations do not define who you are. I could never understand why I was so tempted to do drugs, sexually sin and do the things I previously engaged in. I hated the fact that I was caught up in the type of sin I was being tempted with. I would always judge myself saying that if I was “normal”, I would be tempted with normal things. Well what really is normal sin? Sin is sin in God’s eyes and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is why we need Jesus.
We are more than conquerors through Jesus which lets us know that we can overcome all temptation. When temptation comes, fight it! God’s word tells us that every time we overcome temptation we receive a crown of life that one day we will be able to lay at Jesus’ feet. Every time Satan tempts, it is the opportunity for us to gain more crowns for us to glorify Jesus with. What the devil meant for evil, God turns it around for our good!
When you feel yourself judging others for what they struggle with, remember that such were some of you. We all have a past, the great thing is that when Jesus comes into our lives and cleans us up, He turns our past into ministry for others. He turns our defeat into victory, death to life and tragedy into triumph. Our part is obedience to Him and walking by faith!
Keep in mind, such were some of you!
Pastor Michael Cannatello
TMMC-The Teaching Ministry of Michael Cannatello
