So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh – for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:12-17

We see so much shameful behavior and we may become unmoved by it all. Ask the Lord to restore your sensitivity to the terrible nature of sin. A permissive attitude toward evil will lead us to fall into sin. That is why we are to deal radically with every form of wickedness. We have to take strong action when we are tempted to sin.

To avoid being tempted by forbidden fruit,

stay away from the Devil’s orchard.

Our Daily Bread – November 20, 2003