Overcoming Sin

[andrew_no_one]

With the understanding that God provides a way of escape so that we are able to bear the temptaion to sin, if we ignore the will of God and the way he has set for us, what ever that may be, as it may vary from person to person as we are not all the same, can we truly say we are following after Jesus?

Is Jesus the way?

Firstfruits

To follow someone is to go after them. If I were following you, I’d be with you at the grocery store, at the auto repair shop...taking part in the things that you partake in. In the same way, if we are following Jesus, we will take part in the things that He partakes in. When we fail to do so, we sin, and are taken off course. We must immediately realize this and get back on track. To utterly loose sight of the one you’re following would mean you’d have to search far and wide to find Him again. It’s much easier just to remain directly behind the one you’re trying to follow. Jesus is the way.

[Firstfruits]

To follow someone is to go after them. If I were following you, I’d be with you at the grocery store, at the auto repair shop...taking part in the things that you partake in. In the same way, if we are following Jesus, we will take part in the things that He partakes in. When we fail to do so, we sin, and are taken off course. We must immediately realize this and get back on track. To utterly loose sight of the one you’re following would mean you’d have to search far and wide to find Him again. It’s much easier just to remain directly behind the one you’re trying to follow. Jesus is the way.

So if we have a problem with not being able to stop sinning, then we have a problem keeping sight of and following Jesus?

Firstfruits

[andrew_no_one]

So if we have a problem with not being able to stop sinning, then we have a problem keeping sight of and following Jesus?

Firstfruits

Yes. What you have said is correct.

[Firstfruits]

Yes. What you have said is correct.

Thanks Andrew_no_one,

According to the following scripture, is Jesus saying that if we cannot follow him we cannot have access to God?

Jn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Firstfruits

[andrew_no_one]

Thanks Andrew_no_one,

According to the following scripture, is Jesus saying that if we cannot follow him we cannot have access to God?

Jn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Firstfruits

What you have said here is correct also.

Let’s compare our relationship with Christ to a relationship between spouses. If a husband loves his wife, does he actively and willfully do things that he knows will make her sad? Does he beat her? No!
A husband who loves his wife strives to make her happy! He certainly does not beat her! Does he say “I can’t help but punch my wife in the face”, OF COURSE NOT! In simple terms, if you love someone, you do not pursue ways to make them sad or to hurt them. Also if you are following someone, how could you do so if you were walking away from them?



I have to go to work but I will be back tonight to see where this goes. I’m enjoying this discussion a great deal.

[PneumaPsucheSoma]

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]

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.

I take it that all of us here knows how to sin, and what sin is, is this correct? (Serious question).

I also take it that we know when we are about to sin?

Firstfruits

[Slug1]

I take it that all of us here knows how to sin, and what sin is, is this correct? (Serious question).

I also take it that we know when we are about to sin?

Firstfruits

I know I do... I have willfully sinned. By admission, helps me seek that way out that God provides us all (me) when I find myself in temptation.

[Firstfruits]

I know I do... I have willfully sinned. By admission, helps me seek that way out that God provides us all (me) when I find myself in temptation.

As christians I do not think that we really want to sin, but if we do sin then it means we have yielded to the temptaion, so whether we wanted to or not does it change the fact that it is sin? Do you agree?

If we sin we are not pleasing God, we are pleasing Satan he will get us any way he can. If we can so easily do what is pleasing to Satan, why can we not do that which is pleasing and acceptable to God?

Firstfruits

[Brother Mark]

As we grow in the Lord, there are things God begins to deal with that he leaves alone early in our childhood. Just as a parent doesn't worry about potty training a 1 month old, so the Lord leads us south in the desert because "we are not yet ready to fight". As God said in Exodus lest our hearts become afraid during times of war, he leads us away from the kings (major strongholds). So part of overcoming sin is also maturing in the Lord. As we mature, God will then set his sites on Jericho and Ai and other kings that will need to be dealt with.

How does one grow in maturity? By seeing Jesus as he truly is. When we behold Jesus and his glory (character), then we are changed into that image.

2 Cor 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
NASU

In this way a person is changed into the image of Christ and filled with the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

[Firstfruits]

As we grow in the Lord, there are things God begins to deal with that he leaves alone early in our childhood. Just as a parent doesn't worry about potty training a 1 month old, so the Lord leads us south in the desert because "we are not yet ready to fight". As God said in Exodus lest our hearts become afraid during times of war, he leads us away from the kings (major strongholds). So part of overcoming sin is also maturing in the Lord. As we mature, God will then set his sites on Jericho and Ai and other kings that will need to be dealt with.

How does one grow in maturity? By seeing Jesus as he truly is. When we behold Jesus and his glory (character), then we are changed into that image.

2 Cor 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
NASU

In this way a person is changed into the image of Christ and filled with the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Liberty to do what?

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Firstfruits

[Slug1]

As christians I do not think that we really want to sin, but if we do sin then it means we have yielded to the temptaion, so whether we wanted to or not does it change the fact that it is sin?

Firstfruits

No... conviction leads to repentance... it's that same conviction if listened to before the surrender to temptation, will prevent sin.

Conviction to prevent, enable us to overcome the sin (walk away) but if we fail, then applies to us in seeking repentance.

I'd rather be in obedience to the conviction and triumph over the sin, then not and then "submit" to the conviction in repentance.

As we grow near to God and Jesus continues to mold us... this conviction will lead to more overcoming of sin.

[Brother Mark]

Liberty to do what?

What is the point of the thread?

[Firstfruits]

What is the point of the thread?

The point of the thread is how do we stop sinning.

What I would also ask is how do we please God? because as long as we are continuing to sin we are not pleasing God but Satan.

Firstfruits

[Brother Mark]

The point of the thread is how do we stop sinning.

And that is what liberty is about. As for pleasing God, that comes from faith and would probably make an interesting thread.