Romans 6:11- "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Have you ever heard the expression, "The Devil made me do it"? It's often used as an excuse when someone gives in to temptation and does something they shouldn't. I don't like this expression because it reveals an all-too-common mindset that is not helping us in our Christian lives.

The mindset I'm referring to is the one that says there are some temptations thta we just "can't resist". We consider these temptations and sins to have power over us, whic allows us to rationalize it when we give in. But, this is a direct contradiction of the mindset that our text verse says we should have.

This verse uses a good 'ole Southern word- reckon. The idea behind this word is, "I have considered this and found it to be true." So, it's saying that it should be true in our hearts and minds that we are "dead to sin". You see, nothing has an effect on a dead body, and that's how we should think of ourselves in relation to sin and temptation. We have a promise from the Lord that He will make a way of escape from any temptation that we face. However, we too often forget this.

We need to remind ourselves on a daily basis that, as Christians, Satan only has power over us if we let him have power over us. We need to have the mindset that our lives have been submitted to the power, protection, and guidance of the Lord. We can resist any temptation that Satan throws at us- Scripture promises that. It all depends on our mindset regarding sin's relationship to us. Do you have the right mindset?

thanks Pastor Chad for reminding us that Satan has no hold on us. only when we allow him to and give in to Satan and tempation.