34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
We have yet another red flag here from the mouth of our Savior calling our attention to the importance of His Words – “I tell you the truth” – literally “Amen! Amen !”- which, by the way, occurs 25 times in the gospel of John - meaning to affirm and confirm a statement, emphasizing what is to be said – the repetition carries a strong force behind it equating to “most assuredly” – we can take it to the bank, so to speak. Jesus wants us to know that everyone (I think that includes all!) who sins is a slave to sin. The wording here actually describes something which is done habitually and repeatedly – perhaps even without remorse – placing the doer in bondage, ultimately making their sin their master. Paul dittos this same sentiment to us in Romans:
16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 (NIV)
Living in habitual sin, these Pharisees in their wicked, worldly and wallowing in unbelief way had a master that was not from above and were thereby (evidently unbeknownst even to them) in a state of bondage. When sin rules it follows that we are its servant. This was something that could not be disputed. In the verse above, Paul states that fact as a self evident truth – there is in effect no middle ground between being a slave to sin and a slave to obedience to God. Jesus Himself told us we cannot serve two masters – we are either with Him or against Him:
24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Matt 6:24 (NIV)
This certainly does not mean the Christian will never sin – the root of sin remains in a believer, it will never be utterly destroyed or entirely dead. What it does mean is that sin has no power to condemn or reign only what we acquiesce to give it, leading us into bondage to it – the fruit of sin always being death. We must never lull ourselves into the false security of thinking we are done with sin forever – that just makes us ripe for a Humpty Dumpty experience - awaiting a great fall. Our sinful nature remains after conversion – the trick is for it to be shrinking – crucifying its passions and desires - while the Holy Spirit is to be thriving – fanned into flame through our obedience. Paul tells us in Galatians:
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:16-25 (NIV)
The path of deliverance from habitual sin is through the bondage of obedience to our Savior. He alone breaks the power of corruption in the soul of man. He is the way of freedom. Taking Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves and relying on the Holy Spirit’s strength and power - moment by moment – our actions bathed with effectual fervent prayers and our bodies donned in the full armor of God – it is then that we are able to stand firm, even amidst the winds of temptation.
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. 1 Cor 16:13-14 (NIV)