Delores Liesner
Activating Faith in everyday life
Am I a Slave?
A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. — 2 Peter 2:19
– Mastered or Overcome (NASB) comes from the Greek word katagonizomai, – to 
struggle against, to be overcome by, subdued
“How many excuses did we have on hand for allowing sin to continually master us? “I have a weakness,” “This is my thorn in the flesh,” “I just have a big appetite,” or “I’m just a big
person.” But the truth is that the evil one was slowly devouring us, and sin was mastering us.” – Mary Nettles
What has mastered me?
Is mastery equal to slavery?
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under 
grace.
The word master here is from the Greek word kurios, that means supreme authority
So, according to these scriptures
- Although from time to time, I may struggle against emotions (anger, jealousy, etc) or things (food, shopping, habits, etc.) and allow these things to subdue me, or overcome me (believing I must have that or do that or think the craving is part of my DNA)
- It (the sin, craving, weakness) will never be the supreme authority for one who belongs to and submits to Christ.
Sin can only control me if I choose it in defiance against God my supreme authority, and its power and term are subject to my choice of master.
Josh. 24:15 “And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:
Choose – from etheleo – to wish for – to incline toward
Serve – strateuomai – to execute the apostolate (complete service as military or religious commitment) with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal (physical – of the flesh) (urges) or inclinations
What masters me? Whatever I lean into, think on, focus on, becomes my consuming desire or craving, and that is what masters me. Whatever I feed the most.
What motivates my choice:
Craving of the body -Eccl. 6:7 We work to feed our appetites; Meanwhile our souls go hungry.
Craving of the soul – Gal. 5:16 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.
Tomorrow when you awake which do you choose to feed first? 
4 Comments on “Am I a Slave?”
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Be the Miracle! – with journaling pages
Delores Liesner: Author
American Christian Fiction Writers Association
Delores Liesner 
When the cravings start, I quote my weapons “Have divine power to abolish strongholds,,,” and they go. I’m so grateful for God’s Word.
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Yes, Mary, I agree – it is so important to have our armor on! For years I thought to put off the cravings I had to strive to get rid of them, or starve, but finally realized I had to PUT ON the Word to slough off the old habits 🙂 I am a slow learner. D
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Love this! I like word study, it is so rich and shines a whole new light on His grace. This is such a good reminder, though we struggle does not mean we are condemned to the struggle. We fall down and we get back up, by His grace, strength, and forgiveness. Thank you for posting this, wonderful reminder.
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Yes, I agree it always encourages me that I can have read a verse a hundred times and find new hope and direction when I look into the original meaning. It’s an extra joy to realize that sharing our light only broadens the beam of understanding to all who are under the umbrella of Grace. Thanks for stopping by!
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