Romans 6:11-12

Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin (and your relationship broken), but alive to God (in unbroken fellowship with Him) in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts and passions.  

The transformation from the inside out takes time but keep encouraged. We are a work in progress. God will slowly remove our layers of sin and reveal the hurts and pains as we transform our old selves to follow the leadership of the word in our lives. We are dead to sin and changed with Christ, and sin no longer has any power over us.  

Romans 2:29

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (true) circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by (the fulfillment of) the letter (of the Law). His praise is not from men, but from God.  

Faith and following the leadership of God in our lives is a heart thing. Being born again switches the heart’s focus from darkness to light. Following God without a change of heart would be a constant battle because our minds would not be renewed. Being a Christian starts with developing our Spirit (heart) and willingly following the guide of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:22-23

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for an image (worthless idols) in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles.

When we worship, we give honor to God above all else. God alone deserves worship in our lives. We have to delineate between God as the creator and what is earthly and not meriting elevation to a God status and worship. We can’t replace God with money, power, fame, or even family; the list could go on.  

Proverbs 24:19-20

Do not get upset because of evildoers, or be envious of the wicked, for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

The devil is running out of time, but God is still in control. Our job is to focus these days on what He is doing in our midst. God is still working in our homes and our lives. Don’t get off track from the word with fear of the world but pray for the family, friends, and the lost. We are to reign until Jesus returns.  

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brother and sisters, do not be children (immature, childlike) in your thinking; be infants in (matters of) evil (completely innocent and inexperienced), but in your mind be mature (adults).

Our age doesn’t matter; we will still be maturing and controlling our thoughts. We are growing and learning from God and His word, so our thoughts will develop toward focusing on the instructions from God. We will know what to avoid looking at, listening to, and seeing to keep ourselves innocent of evil.  

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked leave (behind) his way; and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion (mercy) on him, and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.

We can get off track when we let our thoughts wander without supervision. We don’t have to accept everything that comes into our heads. What we think about is where we will go, and we can control our thoughts. God knows this, so when we are determined to change, He will help us.  

1 Kings 2:3

Keep the charge of the Lord your God, (that is, fulfill your obligation to) walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in everything that you do and wherever you turn. 

The Bible repeats the message of obedience to God’s word and instruction. God reminds His people that it will go well if my instructions are followed. God’s instruction creates a barrier to man’s sinful nature by removing the focus from the ungodly to the Godly. Our success in this life depends on our choice to follow the word.  

Proverbs 10:17

He who learns from instruction and correction is on the (right) path of life (and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing), But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course (and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin).

The Bible reveals boundaries for safety that are not oppressive or burdensome but how to get the most out of our lives on earth. Boundaries are a good thing! They signify an area of danger that needs to be avoided, and adults need them just as much as children. When we keep our lives open to instruction from God, we can remain humble and open to correction.  

2 Corinthians 10:5

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of God.

Obedience to God’s word takes practice because we all have thoughts and pressures from our environment. We have to choose what we believe and how we will react. Any argument against the word of God should be questioned and cast down. Our obedience is easier as we gain knowledge and understanding of God.  

1 Thessalonians 5:6

So then let us not sleep (in spiritual indifference) as the rest (of the world does), but let us keep wide awake (alert and cautious) and let us be sober (self-controlled, calm, and wise).

We know we must practice our faith and be obedient; to do this, we must stay engaged. Though sin increases, we can’t become hardened in our hearts and give up hope. Keep the focus on Jesus and off the world and become dependent on a relationship with God.