Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. ROMANS 6:14 (NLT)

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We lead visionary planning with churches and individuals. In each engagement, we have The Talk. This is not the Birds and Bees talk. This is not the African American parents’ talk with their kids when they start driving. This is The Talk about the Stop Doing List. Peter Drucker and Jim Collins, among others, have taught this idea for years. 

To accomplish what we want as individuals and ministries, as families and companies, we need to stop doing some things. There are those things that rob us of energy, productivity, effectiveness, money, health, etc. This is easier said than done. However, it can be done. We do it through the idea of replacement. We replace bad habits or unproductive activity with better habits and productive activity. 

Regarding sinful behavior which drives wedges between us and others, Paul says, “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires,” (v. 12). He says, “Tell Sin, ‘You’re not the boss of me.’” (This is a rough paraphrase of v. 14). 

Read this chapter in its entirety and discover the freedom we have from sin’s control and the release valve, that takes away the undue pressure of sinful desires. Read on in chapter seven and see that on our own, we have a hard time getting rid of old habits and starting new ones. Read on in chapter eight and see that God provides all we need to live a fully empowered life of replacement and renewal. 

Today you can begin a journey into a better life, a life better than you dreamed possible, a life God dreams for you. Start by identifying those unproductive habits and chronic sins that hold you back. Begin thinking about God-honoring replacements. Seek God’s strength and wisdom for moving in the direction of his dreams for your better life. 

The first step is coming to the wonderful realization that sin is not the boss of you and you can say that out loud with confidence. You will live free from the fear of negative consequences by living into the glorious freedom of a life aligned and attuned with the heart of God. 

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I will live in the freedom of God’s grace.

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Our Father, show me what I should stop doing. Empower me for what I need to do instead. Deliver me from the bondage of sin into the freedom of your grace. Amen.