Romans 6:6 says, "We are no longer slaves of sin." This means that anyone who is a believer is no longer in bondage to sin. It can be totally overcome through Jesus Christ, because He defeated sin on the cross for us. We who are believers in Christ have this power in Christ. In verse 6, we are told that we have crucified our sins on the cross with Him. So, this being said, we have the ability to say no to temptation and overcome anything that the devil may throw our way.
I just want to point out that teenagers are some of the most likely people to be drawn into temptation. Just think about it for a minute. There are drugs at school, young people having relationships meant for marriage, and so many other hazards that can cause us to stumble. And believe me, these aren't the only things that can cause a teenager to stumble. What happens if you make a bad mark on a test and someone asks how you did? It seems that we try to cover it up with excuses like, "I haven't gotten my mark yet," or "I have to be somewhere right now!" Please realize this is LYING!!!!!
How do we control these urges and desires to do things that are wrong? Verses 12 and 13 say not to let sin control the way we live... but to give ourselves completely to God, since we have been given a new life. Verse 14 tells us that sin is no longer our master, because we are no longer subject to the law, but we are set free by God's grace. I like the NKJV translation. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Verses 7-10 explain why we can overcome sin. It is because Jesus died to free us from sin. When we accept Jesus into our lives, we (figuratively) die on the cross with Him. (All this phrase means is that we died to our sins when we accepted Jesus into our lives. We put to death sinful things; with Jesus' help, of course!;)
Verse 10 explains that our lives should be lived for God after we die to our sin, and verse 11 tells us to remember that we are dead to sin, but we are alive in Jesus.
In the end, we do have the ability to overcome sin and death through Jesus. Now, knowing this may or may not make it easier to handle sinful desires and temptations. BUT, if you believe it and trust it, through Jesus' power, it will make your life better!
NLT AND NKJV USED THROUGHOUT
