by Ester yusufu | 18 January 2024 08:46 am01
2 Peter 2:20 says:
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”
This verse teaches us an essential truth about the Christian life: knowing Jesus Christ isn’t just intellectual knowledge; it requires a transformed life that turns away from the sins of the world. Salvation means being set apart from worldly corruption (sanctification), not merely a one-time event. If a believer falls back into sin and becomes enslaved again, their spiritual condition deteriorates beyond their initial state before salvation. This reflects the biblical principle of apostasy—a serious warning against turning back to sin after experiencing God’s grace (Hebrews 6:4-6).
These are sinful practices such as drunkenness, sexual immorality, theft, witchcraft, greed, abortion, homosexuality, and other behaviors contrary to God’s holy standard (Galatians 5:19-21).
If a believer is caught again in these sins and fails to break free, the damage is worse than before. It’s like a sickness that worsens if untreated. For example, someone who once struggled with addiction but regained control may find the addiction stronger after relapse (Romans 6:12-14). This shows how the power of sin can increase when we give it repeated access.
Philippians 2:12 reminds us:
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
This means salvation is not just a past event but an ongoing process of obedience and dependence on God.
Jesus described a man possessed by an evil spirit who, when freed, did not fill his life with God’s presence. The spirit returned with seven more evil spirits, and the man’s condition became worse than before (Mathew 12:43-45) A vacant soul that rejects God after deliverance becomes even more vulnerable to evil.
Repent immediately! The window of grace is still open, but it will close if you remain trapped. The Bible calls us to resist the devil and draw near to God (James 4:7-8). If you’ve returned to sins like drunkenness, sexual immorality, greed, or impurity, flee those temptations quickly.
Jesus calls us to a holy life—“Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). This means living in obedience and constant repentance.
Salvation is a precious gift given once (Hebrews 9:27-28). We must take it seriously, living in reverence and fear of God. When we repent and commit to following Christ fully, God will have mercy and restore us (1 John 1:9).
May the Lord bless you as you run from the defilements of this world and live fully for Him!
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2024/01/18/fleeing-the-defilements-of-the-world/
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