July 23
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2 PETER 2
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
-2 Peter 2:17-22
________________________________________2 PETER 2 WHEN YOU ARE ENSLAVED
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
What are the things that overpowers or enslaves you?
Are they things that you cannot stop pursuing?
Do you wake up each morning driven to chase that thing?
Or do you lie awake at night figuring out how to have it?
When you are enslaved by something, that is your master
Is the Lord the One you are obsessing about or is it something else?
When you are in bondage of something, you are helpless
You feel trapped and immobilized by that craving or desire.
When you are enslaved, you are corrupted and impure
You do not have loyalty towards anyone but to your master
It is an idol that you serve when you are enslaved
It consumes you when you are obsessed with having it.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think that addiction is a form of enslavement?
• What are the symptoms of enslavements according to these following verses?