If the Christian does not cease practicing the works of the flesh he will die spiritually. This is the meaning of the following verse interpreted in context:

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Now, let us say that because of the type of personality we have (people are not all the same!) we try to stop gossiping and find we are in spiritual bondage to this sin. What are we to do?

We are to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. We do not ignore or seek to justify a sinful behavior. We confess it as sin. When we do, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Will we get instant deliverance from every sin and bondage we confess? Of course not. We are in a battle against the world, Satan, our bodily lusts, and our self-will and disobedience.

Let us begin to think of our own personality as Canaan. It is filled with the enemies of God. We look to the Spirit of God. He leads us to one city at a time. We follow the Spirit. He shows us how to drive out the enemy found in that city—not the enemies in the entire land but in the behavior under consideration.

As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. The Spirit leads the sons of God to put to death the deeds of their body that they might inherit eternal life.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:13,14)

Please keep in mind that it is our fallen adamic nature that must read the Word and call on God for help to obey the numerous commandments in the Scriptures. The majority of the commandments can be kept by us if we will make up our mind we are required to obey God if we are to inherit the Kingdom of God. If there is some behavior we are unable to stop practicing, then we have a spiritual bondage and must seek the Spirit of God for release.

The Scripture commands us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Are we absolutely unable to do this without the power of Divine intervention? The Bible commands us to call for the elders of the church when we are sick. Are we absolutely unable to do this without the power of Divine intervention?

It is true that even in these simple admonitions we will be more successful if we ask the Lord to assist us. In all matters great and small we will be successful if we will call on God for His grace and mercy. God will help us—this is His everlasting promise.

To be continued.