“For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 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” (2 Peter 2:19-20, ESV).

Peter speaks here of false teachers who “bring in destructive heresies” (II Peter 2:1) and the people they lead astray with these detrimental teachings. If you succumb to these false teachings or their teacher, then you are a slave to whatever is controlling you.

So the point Peter is making is that if after Jesus Christ has set you free from the sin that had you enslaved, then you do not want to again become enslaved again by another sin.

Once you have signed on with Jesus, it is a total commitment, a lifetime commitment.

So what controls you?

If Jesus is your Master, then you cannot have another master. Following Jesus is exclusive of all other allegiances. Either Jesus is your Master or He’s not!

You don’t have the option to try out Jesus for awhile and see if you like Him or He suits you.

Once you become a follower of Jesus and His Spirit indwells you, if you become entangled in the sins of this world again, then the condition of your soul is worse off than if you never knew Jesus at all!

Matthew Henry says it like this: “A state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance.”

The Hebrews writer explains that when you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, you share in the goodness and power of God. If you then turn to something else and turn away from God, it is like you are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace (Hebrews 6:4-6).

That’s a pretty strong indictment of Christians who allow themselves to come under the control of anyone or anything other than God’s Spirit! So, be careful what controls you!

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'” (Romans 8:14-15, ESV)