| John 8:31-36
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If
you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will
set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are
Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of
anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone
who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent
place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
(NIV)
Galatians 5:17-25
17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful
nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that
you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the
sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity
and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,
discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like
this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong
to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with
its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit,
let us keep in step with the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the
world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish
strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and
we take captive every thought to make it obedient to
Christ.
Psalm 77:1-14
1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out
to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought
the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and
my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered you,
O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah 4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled
to speak. 5 I thought about the former days, the years
of long ago; 6 I remembered my songs in the night. My
heart mused and my spirit inquired: 7 "Will the
Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise
failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah
10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the
years of the right hand of the Most High." 11 I
will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember
your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all
your works and consider all your mighty deeds.13 Your
ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display
your power among the peoples. (NIV)
|