Overcoming Sin

[Brother Mark]

But again... that isn't fairness nor was the problem fairness. The sin was selfishness and when God didn't do it how you thought it was fair... that led to bitterness etc. etc. And I do wrap it up to selfishness because that is sin.

Fairness or even a desire for fairness isn't nor does that lead to sin. It is the selfishness that led to the other sin of bitterness and had you not stopped... I'm sure you're aware of the many other sins it could have led up to etc.

You are a bold man to say the issue wasn't fairness when God told me it was. That was how I understood it. Now, if you want to say it was something else, be my guest. But I know this... I battled it and until the Lord said "I am not fair" I had no victory. When he did, I had victory. Why? Because I let go of the demand that God be fair to me or to someone else. God pointed it out to me as fairness while I was in prayer asking him about it and then confirmed it later with a word when I asked him about something else.

When a man is set free by the word of God Ken, we don't go and say "God doesn't know what he was talking about" nor do we say "You didn't hear God". You know that too. I am not sure why you push the point. Of course all sin is rooted in the self life. That doesn't mean fairness was not part of that self life.

[PneumaPsucheSoma]

Back to the OP:

Psalm 107:20
"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

Psalm 119:9-11
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Psalm 100:4
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name."


• Thanksgiving and Praise: Thanksgiving is for what He's done. Praise is for who He is.
Make lists from the heart of anything that fits these areas; then begin prayer time with them. Concentrate this time on Him as a tribute to His righteousness.

• Prayer: AFTER the above, confess the sin (NOT SINS) in your heart and agree with God about that sin in relation to His righteousness and the holiness He has promised is available to us; then begin petitioning for lost souls and for others' lives
and needs; then begin personal petition, beginning with deepest needs first. Use as much Word as possible for all this; learn to pray His Word about all these areas.

• The Word. The Word. The Word. The Word. Read... Speak... Think... Pray... The Word. Mutter to yourself... The Word. The parable of the sower says the seed is the Word. Sow the seed. He's the Living Water. He's the Word. The Word waters The Word. Now... Fertilize the Word. Count everything in your life as dung; and use that "Me Manure" as fertilizer for The Word. Scatter it (read); Plant it (memory); Irrigate it (study); Pesticide it (pray).

• Fasting: One meal... One day... Whatever length. Begin small and build up. Read Isaiah 58. Replace natural "bread" with the "Bread of Life".

Build this pattern daily, regularly. Devote more time to these things. Focus on these instead of sin.

Lay a foundation of faithfulness and dedication. Make Him the center, not the sin. It's like driving: you'll steer where you look. Don't fixate on the sin issue. Gaze at Jesus (the Word); glance at the sin.

Make a list of key words specifically related to the area of concern; and make a list of key words like faith, grace, power, etc. Get a Strong's and list each reference for each word. Write or type these words onto a sheet of paper and devote time to each word-list. Find other ways to reference the Word about applicable topics.

• Devote all first-fruits to God each day: First thought, first word(s), first activity, etc. Begin a God-first thought process in every area of life. Soeak the Word to yourself constantly.

• Buy a CD/DVD Bible and play it while sleeping, and/or any other time(s).

• Replace ALL music time, TV time, etc. with Word time until it becomes a regular dedication and discipline for a set-goal amount of time.

• Read 5 Psalms and 1 Proverb daily; gets through both monthly. Read 9 chapters of the NT daily; gets through NT monthly.

• If/when failure occurs, KEEP GOING. Start at the top and press on in Thanksgiving, Praise, Prayer, Word, and Fasting. DON'T STOP.

Proverbs 24:16a
"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:"

KEEP GETTING UP!

Great thread. Sadly, just browsing the first page alone, I already see what you were talking about in action.

Nevertheless, I guess the strategy for countering sin depends on which area of sin each person struggles with.

I think one area many Christians struggle with is sexual sin, and I'm no exception. What has worked for me is this:

- devotion to God's word, and to prayer. Daily renew our minds with God's word and fill it with thoughts and meditations of his word and his person, and our minds will likely not stray to think of other things. Pray for strength from God to overcome, for wisdom on what to do and to remind ourselves that "His kingdom come, His will be done."

- avoid idleness. fill our days with hard, joyful work.

- Remove all sources of temptation ruthlessly. Every time I fall into sin, I trace back and recall how it all started.

Was it from something I saw or read while browsing a particular site which gave me ideas (I'm talking about legit sites like online newspapers or social/news forums where people discuss social issues and latest happenings), was it from pictures in a magazine, newspaper, TV show, movie, etc.?

When you see a pattern forming, gouge out the eye, cut off the foot. I don't visit certain social forums anymore because the conversations sometimes turn suggestive or flirtatious, or have lewd humour on them, although I like those sites very much for the entertainment and the social chit chat. I also don't watch certain TV shows, and am very careful what movies I watch. I do this not because I'm religious, but because I recognize my own vileness, weakness and falleness.

- be alert to control your thoughts and imaginations. Be mindful of what you're thinking of. When you catch yourself thinking of something that is not right and not pure, stop immediately. James tells us that sin starts from our desires. So kill it before they can form. This is one of the most useful things I've learnt from God's word.

- be quick to repent if I fall. Keep a short account with God. Repent and renounce and turn away immediately after I sin, break the pattern straight away. One sin can lead to two (the 2nd time is much easier), then to 4 and very soon you'll find yourself enslaved by sin.

- have faith and believe in the mighty power of God to deliver, even when circumstances don't seem to suggest that I'm having much victory. Believe in the promises of Jesus, that when he promised he'll set us free, he can and will do it.

- when in bondage, pray for God's power to break free. I really believe in this. I have experienced this a number of times, where I fall into sin and then have no way in my own strength to break out of it (talking about after regeneration) because my whole being, my thoughts, body, etc. are just aching to sin. When we go to God in humility, sorrow and repentance, God literally will "give us a new heart" and I come out feeling different, without the desire to sin anymore, as if the shackles of bondage were taken away, and my mind renewed. And the longer the interval between now and the last sin, the less desire I have to break that pattern and sin.

- pray for a hatred of sin. To hate sin, we need to understand what it is and what it does. We're born in sin and do not recoil at it's heiniousness. Pray and ask God to give us a glimpse of how God views sin. Remember what sin did to one we love, Christ. When our loved one is unjustly hurt, punished or defiled in anyway, it makes us angry and we have a natural hatred for whatever or whoever it was that caused that hurt. If we love Christ, we should think of what sin did to Him, and hate sin because it was sin that caused Christ to suffer all He did. For us.

I'm glad to say these things have worked for me. I'm not perfect and will never be in this life, but there is a growing sanctification by the grace and mercy of God.

More "How To" information is really the intent of the OP. Not just descriptions and references THAT we are made perfect in Him; but HOW to lay hold of that truth in practical ways to overcome sin in our hearts and lives.

[Firstfruits]

The "process" of growing in grace does not include sin.

2 Peter 1:3-10
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

God bless!

Firstfruits

[andrew_no_one]

It's been answered somewhat but the thread got sidetracked. There are some good posts in here on the "how". But they were earlier on in the thread but I think they got drowned out.

This happens very often unfortuantly.

[Firstfruits]

But, you see, that is what it is about to Firstfruits. That's the issue that many of us have with his doctrine. That's largely what all these threads that he has created are about. He is trying to teach that sinless perfection is necessary for salvation. That is what I and others are refuting more than anything else. I would never try to preach against imploring people to pursue holiness and godliness because scripture repeatedly does so.

The issuse is not if we do sin, but that God said do not sin. Paul did not say that now we are under grace and not Gods law telling us what we should or should not do that we are free to sin, but to serve God. Can we honestly say that by sinning we are serving God?

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

So although it is written, are we not really dead to sin?

Firstfruits

[Firstfruits]

Jn 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Jn 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin No more.

Did those that Jesus commanded not to sin know what they ought not to do?

If we who claim to know the truth continue to sin what should we expect?

Firstfruits

[Slug1]

Thing is... sin is revealed as folks gain knowledge... that's a given. Folks often confuse "virtue" as godliness in 2 Peter 1... yet godliness is mentioned later up the ladder (if you will). Sinless perfection from salvation isn't what it is about. Virtue or moral excellence as some translate it... that ain't "sinlessness." Nevertheless... godliness is just that and that is before brotherly love and love (agape). So can one get there... sure they can. Otherwise Paul would have been rather retarded demanded it from the sheep and I am not figuring that Jesus nor he asked of us something that was impossible to do. Keep in mind too that "impossible" is a word that has no faith behind it.

Oh, I agree... right now God has me learning a WHOLE new meaning to the step... self-control! No more talking about it and knowing all about what it means (knowledge-step 3), now I am to live it and then that next step of perseverance... gee, can't wait for those tests to come but I will be ready.

[VerticalReality]

Jn 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Jn 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin No more.

Did those that Jesus commanded not to sin know what they ought not to do?

If we who claim to know the truth continue to sin what should we expect?

Firstfruits

Once again, Firstfruits, you are presenting a strawman argument as nobody has once stated we should sin. Regardless of whether sin should or shouldn't take place it still does, and the purpose of this thread is to discuss how a person overcomes such sin and remains free of it. This thread is about discovering what is needed in order to walk in victory over sin.

Now, do you have anything at all to offer this topic?

[andrew_no_one]

what is needed in order to walk in victory over sin.

This needs to be answered in plain, undeniable modern English; effectively and decisively. This is where my short-comings abound (my lack of ability to form words with what is in my mind and heart).

[Slug1]

This thread is about discovering what is needed in order to walk in victory over sin.

Now, do you have anything at all to offer this topic?

This needs to be answered in plain, undeniable modern English; effectively and decisively. This is where my short-comings abound (my lack of ability to form words with what is in my mind and heart).

For me and this is based on what I read in the Bible, my experience, and straight up what God has told me... we have to realize that the prayer, "God HELP me," has already been answered by God. His answer died on a cross, His answer is His very Son.

We all simply have to stop the constant asking of help and believe me, I still ask at times... and just START doing what we are to do and utilize the authority we have in Christ, against the enemy.

We are given a weapon... The Sword of the Spirit who is Jesus Christ Himself and we read daily in the form of a Bible. (Eph 6:17)

We are given Armor... The Armor of God. (Eph 6:13-17)

We are given an escape... ummmm, use it! (1 Cor 10:13)

We have communication with God... prayer.

We have a teacher... the Holy Spirit who not only comforts us but does counsel us in all we are to do.

We finally have Jesus... His blood covers us, He holds us in His hand (look at Peter when he began to sink in the water), we all just need to hold onto that hand that is ALWAYS offered by Jesus to help us.

We need to put all this together and DO BATTLE and this is done on our knees in battle against satan.

So many pray for help and then step out onto the battle field... they don't pull their sword out, they didn't put their armor on and when they are wounded (tempted) and then when it begins to bleed (they sin), they crawl back in repentance and ask for more help. Then they get back up again, some even dust themselves off and ask God for help, but again, they don't bear their sword against the enemy, they don't have their armor on to protect them from the flanking attacks and they are wounded, bloodied and then they crawl back defeated again, and again, and again.

I've done this "failing" and I got tired of failing, so I prayed to God and asked Him... WHY aren't you helping me... His responce to this prayer...

"I did, it's up to you to utilize the help I have given you!"

I pray this helps you, it sure helped me when He answered me this way!

In the world when something is taking away our right's our freedoms, etc... what is the call for? RESIST, RESIST, RESIST... join the resistance!!! Well, if you only "ask" for help to resist but you "don't" resist and do all you can to resist, what is the result? Oppression, bondage etc. Then the longer you live like this, it can become the "norm" and any effort to resist is really not any resistance at all.

Well, what does Jesus tell us... resist the devil and he will flee. Resistance is more then just understanding the Word of God... it's PUTTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO ACTION!

Scripture can be tossed all day and all night into this thread but until those scriptures are "acted" upon and put to use AGAINST the enemy... he's just gonna run you over and giggle at you.

Nothing against "knowledge" of scripture... it's needed because that is what KEEPS the Sword sharp and keeps that Armor in top shape to deflect all the enemy tosses at you. It's what keeps you standing in battle when you go on the offense and push your way through any trial or battle no matter how small or how big.

Instead of asking God for help constantly, ask Him for guidance, battle plans, tactics, strategy, revelation, and He will answer... the Holy Spirit will show you how to do all that needs to be done, He'll put words on your lips to pray, He will minister to you and reveal to you all that needs to be done, through Christ, you have all the strength you will ever need and through Christ, the impossible is possible.

Yeah, we all get bloodied but does this take away our will to resist or does it enable us to focus and put all our faith and trust in God and utilize all He has given us so we stop being bloodied?

[Firstfruits]

Once again, Firstfruits, you are presenting a strawman argument as nobody has once stated we should sin. Regardless of whether sin should or shouldn't take place it still does, and the purpose of this thread is to discuss how a person overcomes such sin and remains free of it. This thread is about discovering what is needed in order to walk in victory over sin.

Now, do you have anything at all to offer this topic?

1 Timothy 6:11,12
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

We need to stop submiting ourselves to Satan, because when sin we are not submiting ourselves to God.

How do we submit to God?

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Firstfruits

[VerticalReality]

1 Timothy 6:11,12
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

We need to stop submiting ourselves to Satan, because when sin we are not submiting ourselves to God.

How do we submit to God?

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Firstfruits

Okay, this is a good start. How do we submit ourselves to God?

[Firstfruits]

Okay, this is a good start. How do we submit ourselves to God?

Well it seems that we find it easier to submit to Satan by sinning, than we do to God by not sinning, so how do you sugest we turn that around?

How do we stop giving in to Satan?

Firstfruits

[John146]

Actually, there has been very little Scripture posted.

Set your eyes on the perfect example, Jesus, and don't worry if man has accomplished it or not. I guarantee you that there aren't many teachers out there today that figure it even remotely possible that you live free from sin. They teach that you'll always have "something" in your life and often enough they will quote from 1 John 1 faster than a Porsche can get from zero to sixty. Problem is... they are misusing that passage if 1 John 2:1 is to be believed.

That it didn't work for you and worked for others... understand that happens and I suspect for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless... I suspect had you been living in your pornography and caught up in it at the end... you'd have stood in judgment for that very sin and would have perished. Glad you're free from it most certainly and you're blessed to have had the time to defeat it even if on your own time schedule. But the Lord is coming back for a pure and spotless bride... not one that is stained and nasty. Not an easy saying I understand... but Scriptural none the less.

But what do you believe it means exactly? When He returns will His pure and spotless bride be made up of sinless people or will it be made up of imperfect, but forgiven people? What washes away our sins, His blood or our own righteousness?

[Firstfruits]

But what do you believe it means exactly? When He returns will His pure and spotless bride be made up of sinless people or will it be made up of imperfect, but forgiven people? What washes away our sins, His blood or our own righteousness?

The blood of Jesus.

1 Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Otherwise there would be no point for Jesus to shed his blood.

Firstfruits