LESSON #1: THE POWER OF SIN
John the apostle wrote that sin was lawlessness (1 John 3:4) and Paul the apostle wrote that lawlessness led to more lawlessness (Romans 6:19). Sin is not only an act but a power as well. What does it mean? It means every time we sin, sin becomes stronger and we become weaker. It will be more difficult for us to resist sin the next time. We will sin again and again. In the end, we will become slaves of sin.
LESSON #2: THE POWER OF DEATH
Paul the apostle wrote that the wages of sin was death (Romans 6:23). Sin brings consequences. It leads to death. What is death? It is a state of being separated from life. It can manifest in many forms, such as weakness, dryness, barrenness, sickness, lack, etc. Death is not only a state but a power as well. What does it mean? Death has a complete dominion over us and we are utterly helpless to overcome it.
LESSON #3: DESIRE AND FEAR
What is the power of sin? It is desire and lust. James the apostle wrote, "When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin." (James 1:15). What is the power of death? It is fear. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, "and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:15) Thus, sin enslaves us through desire and lust whereas death puts us in bondage through fear.
LESSON #4: LIVING IN PLEASURE CONTROLLED BY FEAR
Sin always leads to death because "the wages of sin is death". (Romans 6:23) It means if we live in pleasures, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, then our lives will be controlled by fear. We will be afraid of many things in our lives. Even if we have money, we will always be afraid that we will lose it or it will not be enough for us. Even if we are healthy, we will always be afraid that we will get sick or an accident will happen to us. All our lifetime will be subject to bondage of fear.
LESSON #5: VULNERABLE TO THE DEVIL
What will happen if we become slaves of sin? We will be demonized. It means we will have demons in our lives. John the apostle wrote, "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning." (1 John 3:8) When we are demonized, we will be vulnerable to the devil who has the power of death. He will easily come into our lives as a thief to steal from us, to kill us, and to destroy us (John 10:10).
LESSON #6: THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
When we believe in Jesus Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not only a Helper but a power as well (John 14:16, Acts 1:8). What does it mean? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of righteousness and the Spirit of life (Romans 8:10). He has the power to set us free both from the power of sin and the power of death. Paul the apostle wrote, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
LESSON #7: FREEDOM FROM DESIRE AND FEAR
How does the power of the Holy Spirit make us free from the power of sin and the power of death? The power of sin is desire, so the Holy Spirit gives holy desires in us by which we put to death the desire of our flesh. Paul the apostle wrote, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) The power of death is fear, so the Holy Spirit becomes the Spirit of adoption in us by which we receive the love of God as our Father. Paul the apostle wrote, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
LESSON #8: FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE LOVE OF GOD
Paul the apostle wrote, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-17) John the apostle wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:18-19) The only thing stronger than the desire of the flesh is the desire of the Holy Spirit. The only thing stronger than the fear in man is the love of God. Thus, victory over the flesh is only possible by being full of the Holy Spirit and freedom from fear is only possible by being full of the love of God.
