Corrupted
But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
2 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)
Not long ago, I tried to open a document on my computer, and a message popped up saying the file was corrupted. I had to search for what that meant, and I discovered that it indicated something got into that file and changed the information so it could no longer be used.
I remember a time when I felt like I had drifted so far from God I thought He could no longer use me. It didn’t happen quickly or intentionally. It started when I chose to participate in a sports league with games on Sundays, preventing me from attending church with fellow believers. Then, I began to miss days reading my Bible and gradually stopped reading it. Soon, I found myself engaging in sinful activities I thought I would never do. I remember waking up one morning asking God, How did I get here? What can I do to get out of this mess?
I sensed God leading me back to my home church, and I began to seek Him through His Word. I felt that God had forgiven me, but I felt I was corrupted, no longer able to be used. The truth is, I WAS corrupted. I had been deceived by Satan and followed the allure of the things of this world. But to say God could no longer use me was another one of the devil’s lies. God told me and showed me that He could still use me and that His power works best in my weakness. God soon allowed me to serve Him and nudged me to deny the lie that He could no longer use me. Though I still had moments of guilt and shame, the Spirit of God continued to transform me by renewing my mind through His Word and the love of other believers.
Satan is a cunning adversary who will seek to deceive and corrupt our hearts. But the good news is that the blood of Jesus can clean up the corruption and give us victory.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)
Application: Identify an area in your life where you might be vulnerable to the cunning ways of the devil.
Prayer: Confess your vulnerability to God and ask Him to show you any steps you can take.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?