Romans 6:12 - Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
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What does "Romans 6:12" mean?
Romans 6:12, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts," is a powerful statement about the Christian's relationship to sin after accepting Christ. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Therefore...": This connects to the previous verses in Romans 6, where Paul argues that believers have died to sin through their union with Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-11). Because we have been united with Christ, our old self, enslaved to sin, is dead.
"...do not let sin reign in your mortal body...": This is the central command.
"Do not let sin reign": "Reign" implies a kingly power, ruling and controlling. Paul is saying that sin should not be in charge of your life anymore. You have a choice. You are no longer automatically enslaved to sin.
"Your mortal body": This refers to our physical body, which is still subject to decay and death. It is the arena where the battle against sin takes place. While we are spiritually renewed, our physical bodies still experience the temptations and desires of our old nature.
"...that you should obey it in its lusts.": This explains the consequence of letting sin reign.
"Obey it": If sin is allowed to reign, you will end up obeying its commands. You will become a servant to sin once again.
"Its lusts": "Lusts" refer to strong desires and cravings that are contrary to God's will. These aren't just sexual desires; they can include desires for power, possessions, revenge, or anything that takes priority over God. When sin reigns, these desires will dictate your actions.
In simpler terms, the verse means:
Because you have died to sin and been raised to new life in Christ, don't let sin be the boss of your life anymore. Don't let it control your actions through your desires.
Key takeaways and implications:
Choice: The verse implies that Christians have a choice. We are not puppets controlled by sin. We can resist its influence.
Responsibility: We are responsible for how we live. We can't blame our sinful actions solely on our "sinful nature."
Ongoing Battle: The Christian life is a continuous struggle against sin. We must actively resist temptation and choose to obey God.
Power of the Resurrection: The verse reminds us of the power available to us through Christ's death and resurrection. We have been freed from sin's dominion and can now live in obedience to God.
Practical Application: This verse encourages us to be aware of our temptations, to recognize when sin is trying to exert its influence, and to actively resist it through prayer, reliance on God's Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
In essence, Romans 6:12 is a call to live out the reality of our new identity in Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin, but children of God, empowered to live lives that are pleasing to Him.
Romans 6:12 - Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
What does "Romans 6:12" mean?
Romans 6:12, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts," is a powerful statement about the Christian's relationship to sin after accepting Christ. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Therefore...": This connects to the previous verses in Romans 6, where Paul argues that believers have died to sin through their union with Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-11). Because we have been united with Christ, our old self, enslaved to sin, is dead.
"...do not let sin reign in your mortal body...": This is the central command.
"Do not let sin reign": "Reign" implies a kingly power, ruling and controlling. Paul is saying that sin should not be in charge of your life anymore. You have a choice. You are no longer automatically enslaved to sin.
"Your mortal body": This refers to our physical body, which is still subject to decay and death. It is the arena where the battle against sin takes place. While we are spiritually renewed, our physical bodies still experience the temptations and desires of our old nature.
"...that you should obey it in its lusts.": This explains the consequence of letting sin reign.
"Obey it": If sin is allowed to reign, you will end up obeying its commands. You will become a servant to sin once again.
"Its lusts": "Lusts" refer to strong desires and cravings that are contrary to God's will. These aren't just sexual desires; they can include desires for power, possessions, revenge, or anything that takes priority over God. When sin reigns, these desires will dictate your actions.
In simpler terms, the verse means:
Because you have died to sin and been raised to new life in Christ, don't let sin be the boss of your life anymore. Don't let it control your actions through your desires.
Key takeaways and implications:
Choice: The verse implies that Christians have a choice. We are not puppets controlled by sin. We can resist its influence.
Responsibility: We are responsible for how we live. We can't blame our sinful actions solely on our "sinful nature."
Ongoing Battle: The Christian life is a continuous struggle against sin. We must actively resist temptation and choose to obey God.
Power of the Resurrection: The verse reminds us of the power available to us through Christ's death and resurrection. We have been freed from sin's dominion and can now live in obedience to God.
Practical Application: This verse encourages us to be aware of our temptations, to recognize when sin is trying to exert its influence, and to actively resist it through prayer, reliance on God's Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
In essence, Romans 6:12 is a call to live out the reality of our new identity in Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin, but children of God, empowered to live lives that are pleasing to Him.