READ: ROMANS 7:15–8:6; GALATIANS 5:13-25

Lying on my dorm room floor, I wiped tears from my eyes. Why did I keep doing things I knew grieved the heart of God? Perhaps it was growing up in a strict home? The countless rules just fueled my desire to live a little outside the lines. For me, that looked like a struggle to honor God in my romantic relationships. While I didn’t go “all the way” with guys, stepping over the line with them offered the thrill I craved. Afterward though, I felt worse. The Holy Spirit was gently prompting me to flee sin and run into the arms of Jesus instead.

Time after time this happened, and I wrestled and prayed. I felt like I was finally grasping what Paul said in Romans 7:15-24. I was doing what I didn’t want to do, and I kept on doing it. I really felt like I was a prisoner to these desires—they were battling within me against the Holy Spirit’s leading. God, I prayed, just let me get caught or in trouble or something! I want this to stop, but I feel so powerless!

Turns out, I didn’t get caught or in trouble. Instead, it was the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ that eventually drew me back. I was attempting to fill my cravings for ultimate meaning with something other than Him… and that never satisfies. The truth is, when I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, He gave me freedom from sin’s power. Even though I will wrestle with my old sinful nature until I see Jesus face to face, I have His power living inside me. And by His power, I can reject sin—knowing that, in Christ, I am dead to sin. I can be led by the Spirit as I rest in Jesus’s love and set my mind on His good desires for me (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:16-18).

Now, when Satan throws my failures back in my face, I know I can block his attacks with the truth of God’s Word. When Satan whispers, “What kind of a follower of God are you? How can you expect to reach others with God’s love when you’re trapped in your own sin?” I can shout back: “God has forgiven me—and He’s not finished with me yet! He began a good work in me, and He will continue it until the day Jesus comes again!” (Philippians 1:6). • Savannah Coleman

• Can you think of a time you felt like today’s author, or like Paul in Romans 7? What sin struggles do you feel powerless over? (Remember, Romans 7 applies to all sorts of sins—and we all struggle with sin every single day.)

• You are not alone in this battle! If you know Jesus, you are a child of God, and you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reject sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our sins and struggles may be great, but God is greater—and He gives us the deliverance we need through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25). Can you think of a time you resisted temptation and did not sin? What was that like?

• God loves us so much that Jesus died and rose again to free us from sin and death. As we rely on Him, we can resist temptation. And whenever we fail, Jesus always wants us to run to Him—to receive His inexhaustible forgiveness and unending love (Luke 15:11-32; 1 John 1:9–2:1). Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about whatever you’ve been struggling with.

• God created romantic love and sex as good gifts to be shared and enjoyed by a husband and wife within marriage. What questions do you have about marriage, sexuality, sin, repentance, etc.? Who are trusted Christian adults in your life you feel comfortable talking to about this? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.)

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)