Romans 6:12, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
We will falter at times no matter how hard we try to live upright, because of this sinful flesh we live in. Although we can choose to walk in the Spirit at any given moment, we won't always do so because of the flesh. Certainly, we should desire and try with the Lord's help to live upright; but even the best of Christians are still human beings with faults and will sin. This is why we must abide in the Scriptures and yield to Christ's Spirit abiding in us (Romans 8:9).
Most believers today are carnally-minded, living in the lusts of the flesh and holding out on God. They don't even try to live right. They're quick to admit their sinfulness, but have no desire to stop their sinful lifestyle. The Bible tells us to avoid close fellowship with such lukewarm people (1st Corinthians 5:11). God is not pleased with them.
God is not slack concerning believers who live in sin. If you are living in sin, then God is upset with you, just as would be your earthly father if you misbehaved. God still loves you, but don't expect anything except God's hand of chastisement in your life (Hebrews 12:6-8). There's a big difference between a person who messes up, but then repents and gets back up to do better with the Lord's help; verses a backslidden believer who admits their sinfulness, but has no intention of giving up their lying, adultery, drunkenness, dishonesty, maliciousness, or their sinful ways.
It comes down to the fear of God. Do you fear God? Those believers who continue in deliberate sin will face the terror of the Lord on Judgment Day (2nd Corinthians 5:10-11). God remembereth that we are flesh and He is merciful and longsuffering toward sinners (Psalm 103:14; 2nd Peter 3:9). God will judge believers in eternity based upon their works. This is what 2nd Corinthians 5:10 teaches. We will give account for the good and the bad done in the body. We will give account as individuals (Romans 14:12). God will avenge those who have been wronged (Romans 12:19; 1st Thessalonians 4:6). Men will give account for every word spoken (Matthew 12:36).
Your salvation has absolutely nothing to do with the way you live. Eternal life is a free gift, paid for by Christ's blood sacrifice (1st Peter 1:18-19). Salvation is receiving, not giving. I'm not talking about salvation here.
I'm talking about the believer who is already saved, but they have chosen to continue living in unrepentant sin. Unrepentant sin is sin that you know about, but choose to continue doing it anyway. God will not bless you the way He wants to. Worldly success or prosperity is absolutely no indicator of God's blessings. In fact, it's almost assuredly a sign that you are not pleasing to the Lord. God chastises those whom He loves with problems, trials, and heartache. If everything is going wrong in your life, then consider Job whom the Lord loved dearly. God tested Job's faith.
Romans 6:12 tells us as believers not to allow sin to reign, as a task-master over our life. Jesus said that sin enslaves men and women. John 8:34, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” The Bible tells us in Romans 6:12 not to let sin reign. Although we cannot stop sinning completely as human beings, because of the flesh; we certainly can prevent sin from controlling our lives with the Lord's help. The power of God can deliver anyone from the depths of wickedness. Every believer has the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) and can therefore overcome sin and temptation with the Lord's help. Don't allow sin to control your life.
Jesus Christ ought to reign in our life.
