In Galatians, Paul writes a letter pretty much chastising the Galatians for going back to practicing traditions from the old law of Moses even after they learned about Jesus and the new covenant. Despite this new knowledge, they chose to go back in “bondage”, so to speak, to the way things used to be done. It says in Galatians 4:8-9:
"Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"
As I mentioned earlier, this portion of scripture is in reference to the law of Moses, but I think we could also consider how it might be relevant to sin as well. Paul says, “how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” Like putting the law behind us and turning to the new covenant, we also need to put our sin behind us and turn to freedom in Christ. And as we do not want to be enslaved by the law, we also don’t want to be enslaved by sin all over again. So I encourage you, to remember what Jesus promises; freedom in himself. Chapter 5 verse 1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” I think that says it all.
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Remember what Paul said to the Galatians and try to apply it to the Law of Moses as well as to our view on sin. It says, “how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” And we as believers should respond with a resounding “no”. It can be difficult to stand in the face of sin, but we are encouraged to stand firm and to not let ourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. I think it would do us all well to think on that verse for a while and see if the Holy Spirit might bring it to life in our lives.