Index To All Four Sections
ON THIS PAGE
Persistent Sin... The Battle Between The Flesh and The Spirit Practical Steps
If you find yourself in the position of falling over and over again, it is time to go beyond good intentions and employ a more concrete strategy The World
Avoiding Cultural Contamination...
People, Places, Entertainment etc. Additionally
Spend your Time On The Right Things.
Learn to Control Your Thoughts
Be Accountable Final Words of Caution
Do Not Think You Have "Arrived"
Do Not Assume Someone Else is "Holy" Because Of What They Do Or The Position They Hold
Do Not Look Back Persistent Sin... The Battle Between The Flesh and The Spirit
There is no question that believers often find themselves torn between the temptation to sin on the one hand, and the desire to live as God wants them to. Jesus and Paul put it this way Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41 NASB) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Galatians 5:17 NASB)
Unfortunately, it is not exactly unknown for the Christian to fall for the same temptation over and over again. James well expressed how serious it is to give in to sin. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:14-15 NASB)
Which makes it hardly a surprise that Paul's frustration with what literally amounts to a life and death struggle is clearly evident in the book of Romans, For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, i n my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. (Romans 7:15-18 NASB) Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24 NASB)
In simpler words, even if we have the desire to do what is right we often fail because every Christian has two natures that are in complete opposition to one another. The old nature (or "old man" as Paul expressed it in Roman 6:6), is the person we used to be before coming to faith in Christ and before being born again. This old nature conflicts with the Christian who is now a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Because of this many may wonder how they can possibly handle a lifetime of temptation. Others with a history of failure may despair of ever breaking habits that have dominated them, perhaps for years. What may help is to take some...
Practical Steps
Many Christians may tackle their problems by resolving to "try harder". Although this may work for some people it does not always do so for those that struggle with particular sins. As the old saying goes... "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". So if you find yourself in the position of falling over and over again, it is time to go beyond good intentions, and employ a more concrete strategy to defeat whatever it is that is tempting you. This strategy involves...
It is very important to begin the entire process with a pen and paper.. Writing it Down
It is an extremely good idea to put both your analysis of your repeated sin and your plan for tackling it (or them) down in a journal of sorts along with the date and circumstances of both successes and failures. If you are dealing with more than one temptation lf it may be best to work on them one or two at a time to avoid overwhelming yourse. Why should all this be committed to paper? While nothing can take the place of prayer and the aid of the Holy Spirit, writing things down almost always helps you to think more clearly. The act of writing brings clarity, focus, and a sense of direction. Having both the problem and the solution written down is very likely to enable you to emotionally distance yourself from the problem at least enough to see it more objectively, then work towards a solution. So what is it is you need to commit to the written word? Step I... Your Analysis of the Patterns.
It is more likely than not that particular circumstances or people will pave the way to a particular sin. If you think about it objectively, all the while asking God to grant you the ability to see clearly, you may very well be able to identify patterns that should help you understand why you sin and what leads up to that sin. For example, does a fight with your spouse lead you to reach for the alcohol, or does peer pressure cause you to live beyond your means. Some of the questions you could ask yourself are What are the circumstances that lead up to the sin? What thought processes and/or first steps occur before I sin? Are there any particular people in whose company I am tempted to sin? Are there any particular places where I am usually tempted?
Write your answers down in each category. Answering these questions truthfully and realistically should bring to light any discernible patterns that lead to temptation. Writing them down crystallizes thoughts, and makes it easy to refer to later. Step II... Your Precise Plans to Break the Patterns
Once you can identify what the patterns are, you can take the necessary steps to defeat them. Therefore, step two is writing down what you have to do to distance yourself from temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB)
You need to diligently look for the way of escape and not be one of those people who repeatedly call on God for the strength to resist temptation, when they have allowed themselves to be surrounded by it. The answer is not to keep asking for strength but to be obedient to what God has already said and physically get yourself away from the temptation. For example, if there are particular places or people that tempt you to sin, you need to avoid both at all cost. If your problem is pornography on the internet, you must subscribe to a Christian internet provider that filters out all porn. You need to do it today. The good thing is that you build resistance every time you resist sin which makes it easier to say "no" the next time temptation comes your way. You become an example and an encouragement to others who may be facing the same, or similar, problems and temptations you are.
The World - Cultural Contamination
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were warned to stay away from the culture and practices of the nations around them.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'I am the Lord your God. 'You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. 'You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God. 'So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord. (Leviticus 18:1-5 NASB)
The New Testament authors echoed the thought And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NASB) Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27 NASB) Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15 NASB)
Yet, the church has had far less influence on the culture than the culture has had on the church. People: In today's world people tend to the idea that happiness lies in having a wide circle of friends with whom one enjoys the pleasures of life. However, this can only be a positive influence if the people with whom we associate are spiritually minded. It is a well known fact that those we spend the most time with have the most influence on our character, behavior, and decisions. The Scriptures are strewn with warnings about avoiding evil company and associating with those that would lead us into temptation. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (Psalms 1:1-3 NASB) Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on. (Proverbs 4:14-15 NASB) Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB)
The instructions are clear... do not even flirt with anything the world has to offer, or even those people who live for it's pleasures. Places: If there are particular places, i.e. nightclubs, bars, and 'adult' theaters. bookshops etc. that tempt you to a particular sin, you would be well advised to avoid them like the plague. However, if you are tempted at work or at home you have to find a way to avoid the particular situation that tempts you. Write down how you will resist when tempted. Entertainment: While it is not necessary to watch, read, or listen to only things that are overtly Christian, in a society that is increasingly being driven by sex and violence, we need to avoid the pitfall of blindly following the standards of the culture we live in. Just because 'everyone else' is watching questionable movies, reading questionable books, and listening to questionable music, does not make it okay for the Christian to do the same. As a Christian, you have to learn to critically evaluate everything you see, read, or hear, following one guideline which is... whether or not it is pleasing to God. While it is true, to some extent, that we can filter out the less than desirable parts, whether we realize it or not, repetitive exposure affects us adversely. For example, in the 21st century, sex is commonly portrayed as nothing but a biological drive. All too often, premarital sex is shown as romantic and wonderful, while the sin of adultery is downplayed. Constant exposure to these messages is very likely to have a detrimental effect, as your thoughts about sex becomes less and less like God's, and more and more like the world. The danger is that it will eventually culminate in one form or another of sexual sin... sexual fantasies, or a real life partner. Role models. Regardless of the fact that, all too often, famous athletes, Hollywood stars, television personalities, and rock stars, are sad examples of morality and ethics, they are commonly both envied and emulated. See Section on Rock Music If you are concerned about compromising both your testimony and your eternal life, you need to critically evaluate what and who, influences your way of thinking, how you dress, and how you relate to the world. Take out a pen and paper and write down some ways in which culture has influenced you more than the Bible has, who the people are that you may be hero worshipping, and why you should stop. Also write down how exactly how you plan to declare your independence from the world's way of thinking and behaving, as well as the names of people who's example you would like to follow and why you think you should. After doing this read your own words. Do they line up with what the Scriptures teach? Would God be pleased with your choices? While I am sure that much more could be said and many more examples given, I am sure you get the idea. It is up to you to elaborate on the basic formula on this page all of which will give you far more control over sin, than vague ideas of 'doing better'. Also be sure not to forget that transformation comes only with God's help so pray without stopping throughout the process.
Additionally
Spend your Time On The Right Things.
As asked before, do you fill every moment with endless television shows? Do you have to see almost every movie that comes out? Do the shenanigans of Hollywood stars, and various other celebrities, fascinate you to the point that you cannot wait for the next issue of People Magazine, or to turn on the television to shows like Extra, that do nothing but showcase the trite, the trivial and the superficial.. to say nothing of a usually ungodly, sinful, way of life. Spending too many hours on entertainment can be very detrimental, both to our physical and spiritual lives. Some of the potential dangers from secular entertainment are that we can begin to accept a secular picture of the world, accepting the world's values of sex, violence and money. Secular entertainment can affect us to an extreme degree, often to the point of becoming cynical about God and religion. The situations we see in popular media rarely apply to real life, and could result in our becoming dissatisfied with our own lives, possibly including our homes, the cars we drive, our inability to take luxurious vacations, and even our spouses. It is believed by some experts that violence often has its genesis in movies, and video games. See Why Kids Shoot We were never meant to be spectators blindly absorbing everything that comes to us from the outside, but were meant to active participants in life. Choosing to do things that are healthy and beneficia, can be a lot of fun. Therefore, stop watching the endless so called "Christian television" that, all too often, has no connection with anything the Bible teaches. Instead, start a serious Bible study program. Stop watching so many sports programming on television and take one up yourself (your body will thank you). Get in shape.. take long walks and join a gym. Learn to play a musical instrument - take up a hobby - start your own garden. Do yourself, and your family a favor and learn (or re-learn) how to cook, avoiding all processed food which is the probably the primary cause of modern society's health problems. What about donating some of those endless hours spent in front of the television to a worthy cause in your area. Mentor a child, help out at a shelter... Better yet, ask God what He would like you to do. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Also See Don't Waste Your Life It is a tragedy of immense proportions that our culture surpasses itself in magnifying the trivial. Life is not about how many 'friends' you have on Facebook or whether you have seen Hollywood's latest blockbuster. Oh, that young and old would turn off the television, take a long walk, and dream about feats of courage for a cause ten thousand times more important than American democracy - as precious as that is... Do You Believe in Anything Worth Contending For? It's popular today to live a trivial life and to have a trivial worldview. If you want to maintain a trivial worldview, avoid difficulties, and entertain yourself, you can. You can turn on a sitcom. You can play a video game. You can go to an arts and crafts fair. You don't have to take life seriously. If you avoid trying to expose false belief systems for what they are, it's now called "tolerance" and "respect". Taking the path of least resistance has never been so popular.
Learn to Control Your Thoughts
Do not allow yourself to fantasize about sin or daydream about situations that are sinful. As the Bible says
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NASB)
It is a likely that many, if not most people regard a wanton imagination and/or sinful thoughts as being of little consequence. However, our Savior turned that idea on it's head telling us that God's laws were just as broken by secret thoughts and desires as they were by actually committing the sin. "You have heard that it was said, 'you shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28 NASB)
Linked to this is the problem of masturbation which, in itself, has never been specifically pointed to as a sin, nor explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures. However, if you masturbate, you probably entertain sexual fantasies at the same time. Although masturbation is not a sin, the thoughts that usually accompany it are. Also, sin doesn't just happen but begins the process of germination in your mind and emotions. Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NASB) "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. (Matthew 23:26 NASB) And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. (Mark 7:20-22 NASB)
Again, you need to analyze what is tempting you and in what circumstances it happens. Also, be aware that it is possible to entertain impure thoughts without even realizing it. As king David once did, ask God to search your heart. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalms 139:23-24 NASB)
Disciplining your mind may be one of the hardest things you have ever had to do and, I suspect, it will be an uphill slog, but with God's help you can succeed.
Be Accountable
Do not underestimate the usefulness of accountability that can be a huge help in overcoming stubborn sins. Another Christian or a small group of believers who will both listen and talk to you, encourage or rebuke you, and pray with you, is perhaps one of the most valuable resources in our war to conquer sin. Like-minded believers can greatly help, encourage and motivate one another, which was probably one of the reasons Jesus did not send the disciples out by themselves, but in pairs. (Mark 6:7)
The book of Ecclesiastes says there is strength in numbers (4:11-12), and Proverbs 27:17 tells us that one mind can sharpen the other which the author of Hebrews elaborates on ... and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB)
Sometimes victory over sin comes quickly - sometimes it takes a little longer. The first few weeks are the hardest but, believe it or not, it gradually gets easier. Perhaps the situation can be likened to those who have quit smoking, many of whom report that the urge to light up comes every so often - even years after they quit. But it is not as strong an urge, and can be overcome. Perseverance, and ample use of the resources He has given us are both essential.
Three Words of Caution Do Not Think You, Have "Arrived"
Human beings seem to have this tendency to let the pendulum swing too far in one direction or the other, with both extremes the realm of dangerous, if not fatal traps. On the one side is the Christian who thinks he has "arrived". Anyone who thinks he is a good candidate for a halo, should pay close heed to Paul's words in the following verse in which he asserts that he did not regard himself as a perfect man. He had not reached the state of being free from sin, but, he was pressing on towards the goal. (Also See Romans 7:14-25) Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; (Philippians 3:12-15 NASB)
If Paul, author of two thirds of the New Testament did not consider himself complete or perfect, how can we? In other words, while none of us can say that we are not guilty of feelings, thoughts, words, or deeds that fall short of the standards of God's perfection, we have to realize that perfection is not instantaneously granted to believers on conversion, but is a goal which Christians are expected to strive towards. They do not willfully continue in any known form of sin, but confess then turn away from it, trusting the grace of God for help to overcome. See Repentance Also there are plenty of believers who face the same struggles we do. On the opposite end, some believe that unless a Christian is free from all sin he is no Christian at all. Although sinless perfection is something that the normal human being can never hope to achieve, their inability to meet an impossibly high (and artificial) standard has led to people doubting their very salvation. They go through so many episodes of self condemnation that their faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross is terribly shaken. Although he must have been quite old when he penned this letter, John used the word "we" in his epistle to Christians, including himself in the ranks of those that were not quite there yet. In fact the Word of God says If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 NASB)
In one of Jesus' parables He made the point that the publican who realized he was a sinner and humbly asked for mercy was justified. But the Pharisee who claimed perfection was not. And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14 NASB)
Do Not Look Back
if any believer chooses to return to the world and to engage again in all its vain pursuits, there is nothing to hinder them. Certainly there are inducements and "opportunities" enough to do so however,
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6 NASB) For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "a dog returns to its own vomit," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:20-22 NASB)
The Example of Esau
Immediately after the author of Hebrews tells his readers that without holiness no one will see God, he talks about Esau who sold his own birthright. Read the verses together.
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. (Hebrews 12:14-17 NASB)
It takes some reflection in order to understand why, in the context of holiness, Esau is pointed out as a negative example. Esau was the eldest son of Abraham and older brother of Isaac. From his early years he must have been aware of the blessings promised Abraham and his descendants. However in the final analysis, as said by Bob Deffinbaugh, Senior Pastor of Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas ... Esau's sins were the same as those of too many modern believers. He returned from the fields, exhausted, hungry, and faint to the point he seemed to fear that he was actually going to die. He then traded in his birthright for a bowl of soup (or stew) that Isaac had ready. When the going got rough, Esau caved in and sold his eternal blessing for instant and temporary gratification thus was unable to inherit the blessings although he sought it with tears.
Do Not Assume Someone is Holy Because Of What They Do Or The Position They Hold:
To quote pastor Bob Deffinbaugh once more...
Positional holiness is that holiness which is supposed to accompany a certain office or position. For example, the Jews of Jesus' day would have assumed that a priest (and especially the high priest) was holy. Today, some people assume that because a person is an elder, or a preacher, or a priest, he is holy. This is not necessarily the case at all. In fact, we should be reminded that such positions are strategic targets for Satan's agents: But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds (2 Cor. 11:12-15; cf. also 2 Pet. 2). Holiness has nothing to do with one's occupation (unless, of course, it is intrinsically an immoral task), but rather with one's obedience to the commands of God in daily living. [02]
We cannot assume that anyone is holy, correctly interprets the Scriptures, or even know what they are talking about regardless of what position they hold, what degrees they have, where they attended seminary, the size of their church/following, how many books they have written, or how many TV shows they have appeared on. Also See The First Most Dangerous Mistake Any Christian Can Make
i.e Believe that WE Or OUR Pastor or Denomination Cannot be Fooled End Notes
[01] Bob Deffinbaugh. The Problem of Pain (Hebrews 12:4-17) http://bible.org/article/problem-pain-hebrews-124-17 [02] Bob Deffinbaugh. How to Spell 'Holy' (Leviticus 19:1-37) http://bible.org/seriespage/how-spell-holy-leviticus-191-37
Continue On To Part V - The Armour of God. HERE
| 
