Jesus, help me see that in order to guide me in what things to choose for my life, God labeled them. He labelled as sin or righteousness all those things I am prone to get involved in . He labeled as sins those things that would hurt me and the people around me . He labeled as righteousness those things that are good for me and those people around me. BUT, even though the Holy Spirit spoke to my conscience and warned me before I sinned, I did it anyway. Make it clear to me that the moment I sinned my first sin, I contracted the spiritual disease of sin. The symptoms of sin are struggles with things like spirituality.

Jesus, help me understand the warning of Galatians 5:19-21; let it give me a short list of some of the sins that will destroy my life if untreated. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures); idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21).

Jesus, help me make the comparison that when I get sick, I start having symptoms. Based on the symptoms, doctors can often diagnose what type of disease I have. Show me that, that is the way the spiritual disease of sin is; it has symptoms that show up in my life. Based on the symptoms, the treatment will be somewhat different. If I get addicted to something, I will exibit symptoms of loss of self-control in a certain area. If I start feeling hopelessness, I will typically lose my desire to engage in life. If I start being pressured by anger, I will start losing my ability to control my temper. If my child starts being rebellious, they will start resisting perfectly normal requirements placed on them. Also, any one of these will typically start producing emotional pain that manifests itself in my body.

Jesus, when my body starts hurting somewhere, sometimes it is just temporary and goes away without me having to do anything about it. Teach me that, that is what I thought was happening to me when I got infected with a spiritual disease; I hoped that I was just going through a phase. But, when the pain, suffering, and struggles persisted, I realized I had something that is more serious than I thought. Help me be aware that most people have more than one spiritual problem in their life. I had to pick the one that is bothering me the most. Or, I had to pick the one that is causing all the other spiritual issues in my life. Teach me that the most important thing was for me to acknowledge that I have a problem that needs attending to.

Jesus, once I realized that I have a disease that isn’t just going to go away without treatment, I tried to see if I could cure it. I did research and tried to diagnose the symptoms. Then I acted on that research and tried various cures. I misdiagnosed myself, and the treatments had no effect. I also chose the wrong cure, and I failed to get results. I didn’t realize that it was a spiritual disease that I was trying to cure myself. Make it clear to me that spiritual disease cannot be cured by human procedures. Show me that spiritual diseases, even the ones that their symptoms seem to be minor, are incurable through human procedures, treatments, and systems.

Jesus, teach me about sin and death: Rom 6:23a (NIV) For the wages of sin is death. Teach me that the actual definition of death isn’t to cease to exist. The technical definition is to be separated. If I die physically, my spirit is separated from my body. I don’t cease to exist, I just can’t use my body anymore. Help me understand that when I die spiritually I get separated from God, His family, and His eternal Kingdom. All the benefits I would have had as a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen in His eternal Kingdom are forfeited. Show me that in that case, I would be spiritually dead. But, teach me that Romans 6:23 doesn’t just say that the wages of sin is death. The whole verse says: “For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23).”

Rom 8:32 (NIV) He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us ALL--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us ALL things? Jesus, help me believe that salvation opens the door to ALL THINGS. Salvation is me receiving the gift of God which is eternal life in Christ Jesus my Lord

Jesus, also make it clear to me that, that made me a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen in His eternal Kingdom. Teach me that since I am one of His children, then I am one of His heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed I share in His sufferings in order that I may also share in His glory (Rom 8:17).

1 Pet 2:24 (NIV) He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. Jesus, help me believe that my problem with spirituality has healing provided for it right along with my salvation.

• He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree: Jesus, since sin is terminal, it set me up for being separated from God forever. I was dead (separated) because anyone having sin cannot join God, His family, or His eternal Kingdom. So You took my death that I was suppose to suffer; and, You died in my place. You were crucified on a wooden cross (tree).


• Jesus, make it clear to me that You died in my place so that I might die to sins (be separated from it): Help me see that the cause of addictions, emotional suffering, relational difficulties, financial problems, physical diseases, and spiritual crises is sin. Show me that the symptoms of sin are all these maladies that are hurting mankind and me. But, help me believe that You are my cure. You are training and empowering me to DIE to sin. But, teach me that being separated from sin is just a small part of it all.


• And live for righteousness: Jesus, teach me that righteousness is a condition where I am empowered to only do good things to myself, other people, and God’s plan. Help me understand that the solution to my issues with spirituality is, You are going to fill my life with good, wonderful, supernatural, and miraculous things (righteousness). Help me realize that righteousness is going to crowd out the pain, stress, and constant damage spirituality issues are doing to me. All I have to do is yield to Your power, training, and love. You are going to show me how to get rid of all the damage sin has done. And, You are going to do this by flooding me with righteousness that You purchased for me.


• By His wounds you have been healed: Jesus, help me understand that this is talking about the fact that You didn’t just die for me on the cross. Prior to You death, You were beaten almost beyond recognition. These wounds that were inflicted on Your body purchased my relational, emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual healing. It was a heavy price; but, You did it because You love me so much that You did what it took to get me the full benefits.

Rev 3:20 (NIV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. Jesus, make it clear to me that it is one thing for You to do all that for me; it is another thing for me to open the door and let You enter all the areas of my life. You did Your part; now empower me to do my part, if I want to benefit from all Your provisions. Help me never forget that I have a God-given free will; You aren’t going to knock the door down, walk through it, or cause it to disappear. My relationship with You will ALWAYS be You waiting for me to do my part before You install Your provisions in me.