This passage has brought untold numbers of people into bondage.
The lie that alcoholism is a disease, and one which men and women are never cured of, creates a lifetime of shameful bondage and frustration.
God made man a little lower than the angels, yet because of Adam's sin, man became dead in his trespasses.
"For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalm 8: 5)
Because of Adam's sin, though, this happened:
"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14)
Yet, the Second Adam, Jesus, overcame what the first Adam did:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" (Romans 5: 15-17)
Now, even though God has seated us in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-6), and has invited us to walk in His light (1 John 1: 7) as dear children (Ephesians 5:1-4), there is still an enemy out there, Lucifer who became Satan, who accuses men and women in Christ that they are not good enough, that they are still under condemnation.
When Jesus died on the Cross, He also rendered inoperative the Old Covenant of law, which was good but not for man, which drove man to the end of himself that He would rest in the grace and goodness of God:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
Now, God's law was the one weapon which Satan uses against us:
"1And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. " (Zechariah 3: 1-3)
Because Jesus has given us His righteousness (Isaiah 54:14, 2 Corinthians 5: 21), Satan cannot accuse us anymore, and moreso because the very law would could not keep, Jesus fulfilled:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
"Spoiled principalities" means that God disarmed those demons, and He did this by rendering inoperative the Old Testament by fulfilling through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus (Matthew 5: 17)
Now, if we do not rest in this truth, we are still susceptible to the attacks of the enemy, and we can still fall under condemnation.
The Holy Spirit invites us to stand against the enemy:
"10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Ephesians 6: 10-17)
Now, if we do not understand that there is an enemy out there trying to defeat us, then we will fall victim to every slight and every deviance, to every sense of shame and condemnation, and try to fix it.
Such is the terrible tragedy which men and women in Christ face if they insist on achieving or maintaining righteousness in their lives through their efforts, rather than standing in Christ and allowing His Finished Work at the Cross to minister to them and protect them:
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14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
16Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 14-17)
When we rest in His righteousness, then we can rest in the truth that no weapon will prosper against us. They will be there, the enemy will attack, but we can know that there is nothing He can do to bring us into condemnation, because we are in Christ and in Him there is no condemnation (Romans 8: 1)
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