Put Sinful Deeds to Death and Live
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | Romans 8:12–17
KEY VERSE:
“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
MESSAGE:
Paul continues his contrast between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit. The flesh draws people towards sin and death, while the Spirit leads believers into life. Since we are no longer obligated to obey the flesh, we must refuse to allow sinful desires and practices to govern us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to put sinful deeds to death and live the new life Christ has given us.
Putting sinful deeds to death requires deliberate and continuing action. We must refuse to excuse, protect or feed attitudes and habits that dishonour God. This may require honest confession, removing sources of temptation, seeking godly accountability and replacing sinful conduct with obedient action. Yet we cannot accomplish this through determination alone. The Holy Spirit exposes sin, strengthens us to resist it and enables us to choose what pleases God.
The life promised in Romans 8:13 is expressed through growing freedom, holiness, fellowship with God and Christlike character. The Spirit does more than help us resist wrongdoing; He directs us into the life for which Christ redeemed us. As we surrender our desires, habits and choices to His authority, the power of sinful practices weakens and the character of Christ becomes increasingly evident in us.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Refuse to protect any practice that dishonours God. Confess it, remove what gives it access and depend on the Holy Spirit to replace it with obedient action. Choose today to strengthen a habit that reflects the life of Christ in you.
PRAYER:
Dear God, reveal every sinful practice I have tolerated. By Your Spirit, strengthen me to reject it, pursue holiness and live the new life You have given me in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
Day 252 Jeremiah 17–20 — Trust the Lord and Remain Faithful to His Word
DAILY word study: PUT TO DEATH The expression is translated from the Greek word thanatoō (than-at-o’-o), meaning to cause to die, destroy or deprive of power.
In Romans 8:13, Paul uses a form of this word that denotes ongoing action. Through the Holy Spirit, believers must consistently deny sinful practices the opportunity to control their lives. This requires confession, removing access to temptation and choosing obedient actions that strengthen Christlike character.
Reflect on this:
Sin loses its influence when we stop feeding it and continually yield our choices to the Holy Spirit.
Comments