UnstoppableSample

Jesus’ Opinion Empowers Us To Sin No More

When the opinions of man come at us and we’re tempted to give them entrance into our mind and heart, we can look to Jesus and hold on to His opinion of us.

That’s exactly what the woman caught in adultery did in John 8. She believed Jesus when He said, “…Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (v. 11). She simply received His words as the truth.

So many times in the past when I was struggling with something, the Lord would interrupt my thoughts and ask me, “Denise, who are you?” And I’d have to respond, “Lord, I’m the redeemed. I have the Holy Spirit in me, with me, upon me. And I know You’re going to help me in this situation. I’m holding fast to Your opinion.”

That’s what we have to do at times. We have to consciously replace negative opinions about ourselves — whether they come from other people or from our own minds — with Jesus’ opinion about us, which is found in His Word.

So whose opinion are we going to believe? Jesus says:

• We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• We are more than conquerors through His love (see Romans 8:37).
• Nothing will separate us from His love — not even the challenges we’re facing right now (see Romans 8:38-39).
• We’re the head and not the tail (see Deuteronomy 28:13).
• He will never leave us or forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5).

His opinion about us is never one of accusation. After all, His love for us was so great that He paid the ultimate price to set us free. He offers that freedom the moment we believe on Him.

The moment that woman believed that she was free, she then heard Jesus’ next words: “…Go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

When the power of the Holy Spirit comes into us and our heart is attuned to Jesus’ voice alone, He gives us the power to sin no more. It’s in simply believing Jesus’ words that we receive that power.

This is our moment! Jesus is asking us to focus only on what He says about us, and He is empowering us to obey Him — regardless of whether people praise us or criticize us. As we do, Jesus will not only give us the power to win over sin — He will make us an unstoppable force!

Journal Prompt

It is important that we remind ourselves of who we are in Christ! Which of Jesus’ opinions just listed do you need to be reminded of the most? Write down this opinion and meditate on the accompanying verse as you remind yourself of how God sees you as His child.

Memory Verse

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. — Hebrews 13:5