Romans 6:12, Let Not Sin Reign!
Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
The Apostle Paul is presenting the truth that sin is wrecking havoc in the lives of the Christians in Rome. He is giving a command of prohibition to forbid the continuance of sin in their lives. He is giving the strongest form of warning and admonition for them to stop sinning. Since the beginning of chapter 6, he has been reminding them of their privilege in Christ. Holiness should characterise the Christian life. Sadly, this was not so!
He uses the word “reign” which literally mean “to be king” or “to rule” to describe the fact that the Christians in Rome are allowing sin to take control of their lives. Though they had a choice, have chosen to yield to temptation. They are not seeking the Lord for His help to overcome sin but allowing it to have dominion and affect their spiritual well-being.
When Samson wanted to marry a Philistine girl against the Lord’s command, his parents dissuaded him. This was what happened. He commanded his parents to get on with the marriage against his parents’ wishes.
Judges 14:1-3 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now, therefore, get her for me to wife. 3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
Samson will pay dearly for his wilful disobedience. He would later have his eyes later gorged out by the Philistines as a judgment from God! 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? He capitulated and paid dearly also with his life.
The Apostle Paul is asking, “What is the sin that is destabilising your Christian life?” Stop that! He speaks with a sense of urgency because the destructive effects of sin will take a toll upon the Christian. May God be merciful! Amen.