Who is in control

Read Eph.2:1-10 and Matt.10:32-39

In a previous lesson we looked at a part of this passage in Ephesians, but we are going to look at it again. The Bible is very clear in stating that non-believers don’t have any real freedom. All men in sin are dominated and manipulated by the devil, even though they think they are just following their own desires and thoughts! Often, we are also ensnared by our culture and environment, allowing ourselves to be dominated by our caste, tribe, gang or simply the majority.

One of the disciples of Jesus, Peter, gave in to the peer pressure he felt. He was so discouraged that he didn’t dare to confess Jesus among the gang of hostile people. In fact, he denied Jesus three times in one night! In the same way we may be tempted to allow ourselves to be controlled by an environment that is dominated by the devil by being cowardly and yielding.

Sometimes we allow ourselves to be controlled by fear of what family, parents, brothers and sisters, friends will say. Jesus is making it very clear to us that if we do not overcome this fear and openly confess him as our Lord, then we are on thin ice! In fact, the word of God says that this is the only way of salvation: “Believe in the heart and confess with the mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord!” (Rom.10:9-10).

When you become a believing Christian, you must be prepared to meet opposition, even from some of your earlier friends. Some of your friends, yes, even many of them, you will be able to persuade to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. However, you must be prepared to face opposition and difficulties because of your faith in Jesus Christ. The devil will not let you go that easily. He will try to dominate you and to control you through non-believing people. The good thing is, however, that you are not alone any more. Jesus Christ is with you every day, everywhere! Your Christian friends in the covenant community of God are also ready to support you and help you to overcome all the possible/potential problems you will face. What is important for you to determine, is that you have made up your mind and decided once for all to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many years ago a young man by the name of Augustine lived a wild and unrestrained life enjoying being with prostitutes. After his conversion one of the prostitute girls took hold of him and invited him home to her place. “Sorry,” he said, “The Augustine you know is dead. This is a new Augustine, and you don’t know what kind of man he is!”

You will face situations when you will be able to say the same thing. The Holy Spirit will show you when it is right to refuse to participate in something you used to do before you came to Christ. First of all it is important for you not to be a “closet-Christian”. Come out, stand forth, confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and produce fruits worthy of your conversion!

Exercise:

Who controls you? _______________________________________
Who owns you?__________________________________________
Who owns your body?____________________________________
Who owns your heart and mind?____________________________
Who owns your emotions and affection?_____________________

Take some time to think through your situation to find out if the devil is using somebody to gain control over you again. Who are they? How will you tackle them? Perhaps you should talk it through with your teacher?

Continue to memorise and meditate on these verses:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " (John 3:16)

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23)

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Phil.3:20)