Bible Verse (NIV)
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6
Reflection
The Bible says we all have a sin nature. One popular singer Henry Clarence says, “Sin is present in everyone as a nature before it expresses itself in deeds.” That means we were born with a heart that naturally wants to go its own way and away from God.
This verse compares us to sheep who wander off even when they have a shepherd who loves them. We stray by choosing our own desires over God’s commands. That’s what Adam did in the beginning. And ever since, we’ve all inherited that same pull towards sin.
But even in our rebellion, God didn’t turn away. Instead, he placed all our wrongs, every lie, every selfish choice, every failure on Jesus. Jesus took our place so we could be brought back to God. This shows how serious sin is, but also how deep God’s mercy goes. We can’t fix ourselves, but we can trust the one who was wounded for us.
So, how do we overcome this sin nature while we wait for Jesus to return? First, we walk in the spirit. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, he gives us power to choose what’s right. Peter denied Jesus three times when he was weak in faith. But later, filled with the spirit, he preached to thousands.
Second, we stay in God’s word. The Bible is our spiritual armor. It teaches, protects, and strengthens us. Third, we pray. Prayer is where we find wisdom, comfort, and direction. Jesus told his disciples to stay awake and pray so they wouldn’t fall into temptation.
Lastly, we need each other. A church family encourages us, corrects us, and stands with us in the struggle. Overcoming sin isn’t easy, but God has given us everything we need.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us even when we stray. We confess that our hearts often wander, but you keep calling us back. Help us to walk in your spirit, to stay in your word, and to live in true community with other believers. Thank you for placing our sin on Jesus. so we could be set free. In his name we pray. Amen.
In Other Translations
- KJV (King James Version):
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
- AMP (Amplified Bible):
“All of us like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, each one, to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] To fall on Him [instead of us].”
- NLT (New Living Translation):
“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”
- NASB (New American Standard Bible):
“All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all To fall on Him.”
- ESV (English Standard Version):
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Related Verses
- Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
- Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
- John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
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