By Angela M. Thomas

Have you ever had a strong desire to do the right thing and ended up doing the wrong thing? Have you ever been in a situation where you told yourself you were not going to succumb to pressure from others and smoke and drink and yet in the heat of the moment, you did it anyway? Have you ever tried to convince yourself, if you consume a little of something, it will not hurt you? A little adultery, a little fornication, a little cocaine, just a couple of drinks, a little marijuana, a little pork or fried food everyday will not hurt you? Have we underestimated Satan, who does not start us on the hard stuff first, he slowly reels us in. Do you believe there are “exceptions to the rules” just because it’s wrong or bad for you, doesn’t mean it’s wrong or bad for me? Many will say, well you have to die of something and so I choose to die of this, and Satan again has gotten another one to fall for his tricks. Remember, you do not belong to an addiction. You have been purchased with a price. Use the Holy Spirit, Scriptures and Prayers to pull down strongholds.

In Romans, 7:15 – 25 “For what I am doing I do not understand. For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O’ wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

We must die to the flesh. We must discipline our flesh. We must not allow our flesh to kill us and destroy our bodies, minds and souls. One of Satan’s most effective tricks is “delayed consequences.” I believe if we immediately became addicted to the one thing that could possibly destroy or kill us, and then we would be more careful about experimenting or using the things we know that will harm us. Unfortunately, the body’s reaction to some harmful things is not immediate. It is over a period of time. Consequently, people assume they can violate God’s law without consequences. Satan leads us to believe we can sin without consequences. We struggle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and rulers in high places. At this time and date, we are still allowing Satan to control us. God not only wants you to live a long life so that you can satisfy Him, He wants to improve the quality of our lives. He does not want us to suffer and become addicted and sick to the things that will destroy or kill us.

Angela M. Thomas has authored eight inspirational books. She has worked as a Miami- Dade Correctional Officer, and active as a mentor for children. She is a certified motivational speaker and has received many honorary awards. To book Angela, visit her website at www.AngelaMThomas.com or please call (305)793-1347.