It was C.S. Lewis who said, “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” From that standpoint, it’s hard to deny the importance of the soul. Yet daily we see souls for sale, often in exchange for cheap thrills and temporary solutions. Why has the value of the soul gone down so drastically in our human perspective? More likely than not, it is because we’ve gotten caught up in the games the devil plays. He loops us in the lie that we don’t have to give much thought to making one immoral choice or another and that we will actually come out on top. Judas’ example bears out the result of giving in to the game and giving up our soul. Even though Judas kissed the door to heaven, walking side-by-side Jesus in ministry, he sold his soul to hell in his unrepentant betrayal of Jesus. Yes, we have all betrayed Jesus with our sins and we will continue to make mistakes, but instead of running away from God, we should run toward him seeking forgiveness. Repentance is the way to keep our souls secure and in the love of God. Even if we come to a place where we’ve squandered it all, Jesus is willing to buy back the soul we’ve forfeited so easily to make us whole again.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” —Mark 12:30

1. The wrong gain is actually a loss

Every time Judas showed up in the Bible, he missed the opportunity to do the right thing at the right time. When Mary worshipped with her Alabaster, he gained an opinion, but forfeited perspective. At the last supper after he was exposed to be Jesus’ betrayer, he gained distance, but lost community. After selling his soul for 30 pieces of silver, on his last day, Judas gained temporary relief, but forfeited eternal life.

2. The right forfeit is actually a gain

There is a battle for your soul. It’s the enemy’s goal not to quit until he takes souls down with him. Determine, “I’m not going to give up my soul, I’m going to fight.” How do you fight? By forfeiting the devil’s games, like shame, insecurity, gossip, playing church, and secret sins.

Don’t be fooled! The enemy of your soul is persistent and consistent. His aim is to steal, kill, and destroy your soul, he wants to convince you to hand it over to him. Be aware that the forfeit of your soul doesn’t happen overnight, but over time. So press in and repent. Turn from the lies of the enemy to walk in the security that the Lord has given. In every battle, Jesus has already made you victorious. Rest assured, what you have sold, Jesus has already paid for. Don’t get tired in your obedience to God. Keep on waiting, keep on believing, it’s just a matter of time before Jesus shows up for you.