What is the best way to

[DDGresham1]

fight sin? I grew up in rough areas and around very sinful people. What is the best way to fight sin in my mind and my life? Once when I was very sick and had a bad infection I felt really close to God. In my mind I was able to see clearly the life I should live. However, when I am not challenged I don't see life quite as clear. I was thinking of fasting but was wondering if it would just be temporary like my sickness was or if it would interfere with work. Any experience with this or other suggestions?

[little watchman]

When I loose control over my circumstances, and can do nothing other than wait on the Lord to deliver me, and He does, that is when I, too, feel close to God. But when I'm healthy, working as I should, and making progress toward my goals, those are times I wonder whether God is still there guiding me. I think God wants us to be healthy, working, and making progress, but toward His goals more than our own, and often the difficulties in our lives help lead us to repent of our self-centeredness. I don't think we should create difficulties to be closer to God, though. The way to a closer walk with Him is through prayer and obedience.

After praying about whether to fast, is God telling you to go on a fast? Then you should fast. But if it's not clear, you should examine your motives for fasting. If you want intimacy with God, but He's already told you to do something and you did not obey, then it's better that you first obey. Remember that God does not just love you, he loves everyone (though not everyone loves Him in return). To be intimate with God, you have to understand that you are also a sinner, just as worthy of condemnation as anyone else, and that He died for your sin. Can you say as Jesus did to the worst of sinners, "forgive them, for they know not what they do"? Can you also see yourself among those sinners?

The issue of whether you fast or not is not really so important. God is not obligated to do anything different because you fast, for example He did not honor David's prayer with fasting that his child born of Bathsheba wouldn't die (2 Samuel 12:21). And our God is not like the heathen gods which required human sacrifices or cutting with knives (1 Kings 18:28) in order that our petitions are heard. He hears us already. What He wants is a change of heart, that we see others the way He sees them.

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to break your bread to the hungry, and that you should bring home the wandering poor? When you see the naked to cover him; and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth as the dawn, and your health shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of Jehovah shall bring up the rear. Then you shall call, and Jehovah will answer; you shall cry out, and He shall say, Here I am." (Isaiah 58:6-9)

[Dani H]

Submit to God, then resist satan. Choose who you're going to serve.

[Boo]

I think that you may find that nearly all of us tend not to focus on God while participating in the rat race of everyday living. We get too busy to be still and consider all His wonderful works and His place in our lives.

Fasting is a good way to keep God in your mind for a few days. It is not something you do to force God's hand. It is something you do to help your mind keep focused on God and, in doing so, draw nearer to Him in prayer. It is in drawing nearer that our spirit changes and gives God more of a place in our lives. At least, it does for me. Others who have done it may word the experience differently.

In submitting to God, resisting Satan becomes easier; but you'll still be subject to Satan's attempts to decieve you; so keep your self wary.

[jayne]

What’s the best way to fight sin in your mind and life? Pre-emptively. LOL! You've gotten some very good responses so I'll just add some scripture.

It’s good thing that you mentioned the mind. To me, that’s where the battleground is even though the flesh plays a very large part in temptation. But if the mindset is firmly established first I really believe that Christians can be over comers more often than not.

A lot of Christians believe that dealing with sin is all about the heart. I believe that’s not enough. Some Christians believe it’s all about us on our own accord trying to ignore the flesh or trying to “punish” the flesh into submission. That’s impossible. The Bible says that the mind plays a much bigger role in this than we think.

Here’s what the Bible says about the mind in that context.

Psalm 26:2-3 …… “Test me, LORD, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.
For Your faithful love is before my eyes,
and I live by Your truth.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 …… “You (God) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength…”

Matthew 22:36-38 ….. “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

Acts 17:10-12 …… “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."

Romans 7:22-25 …… “For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.”

Romans 8:5-6 ….. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Romans 12:1-3 ….. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 ….. “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

1 Peter 5:8 …… “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

[DDGresham1]

Thanks for the responses. To clarify; not trying to force God's hand. Just trying to give my self all of the defensive mechanisms that I can. Sin for me is very much in the mind. I think it first, then I do. I'm not really the type to sin on accident (though I can). I am usually considerate of others and try to be more so every day (still have a long way to go but better than than most secular people). During fasting or illness (my fasts are short...not days...just going on one or two meals a day or eating meals a few hours after I want them) I feel closer to God...I am more full of love during these times. My mind is clear. There is no thing that I need or want. No "us and them" but "we." In my experience the mind plays a much bigger role in sin than my flesh does. All of my sin seems to gestate in the mind and then is born to my flesh if I let my mind go unchecked. I have a feeling that fasting during temptation of the mind may be a way of allowing it to pass and wanted to see if this worked for others or if some leaned more toward prayer or some other device....though I do lean heavily on prayer at all times, or try to. Anyway, thanks for chiming in. I like to seek counsel of others as much as I can. I'll read your posts again to try and retain your thoughts on it. Jayne, thank you for the scripture. I think I will print it out and try and memorize a lot of it. -Dwayne

[MoreMercy]

I hear you, amen !

Very, very recently God all mighty, Father of Christ Jesus has brought me to see my need, my need to clean my selfish mind too, to capture every thought, to examine every thought to be able to rid the thoughts which do or will not function in the Spirit of Him.

I asked and He reminded me that I need to be continually washed by His and His Son's words.

Not continually washed by His Son's shed blood, but continually washed by His words, amen.

I have been for two weeks realizing my shame and guilt by the things that still enter into my mind.
I forgot that I need to daily wash my mind with Christ Jesus's and His Father's words, either by reading or hearing or speaking.... and also forgiving my fellows, amen.


It works friend, God bless you.

[jecelpabor]

Thanks for the responses. To clarify; not trying to force God's hand. Just trying to give my self all of the defensive mechanisms that I can. Sin for me is very much in the mind. I think it first, then I do. I'm not really the type to sin on accident (though I can). I am usually considerate of others and try to be more so every day (still have a long way to go but better than than most secular people). During fasting or illness (my fasts are short...not days...just going on one or two meals a day or eating meals a few hours after I want them) I feel closer to God...I am more full of love during these times. My mind is clear. There is no thing that I need or want. No "us and them" but "we." In my experience the mind plays a much bigger role in sin than my flesh does. All of my sin seems to gestate in the mind and then is born to my flesh if I let my mind go unchecked. I have a feeling that fasting during temptation of the mind may be a way of allowing it to pass and wanted to see if this worked for others or if some leaned more toward prayer or some other device....though I do lean heavily on prayer at all times, or try to. Anyway, thanks for chiming in. I like to seek counsel of others as much as I can. I'll read your posts again to try and retain your thoughts on it. Jayne, thank you for the scripture. I think I will print it out and try and memorize a lot of it. -Dwayne

Ah, that's because sin can never be done on accident. Mistakes, yes, but not sin. Sin has always got to do with will; without will, you cannot sin. To answer your original question, I say you pray. James 1:5 says, "Is anyone of you afflicted, let him pray..." Note that affliction doesn't automatically mean you are sick of the body; it can also be of the mind, spirit and emotion. Truly I say to you, when you don't know what to do, pray to Him. Just be open and honest. Know that the human mind, though greatest among God's creations, can never be 100% reliable. Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not let yourself think that you are wiser than you are. Simply obey the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Make no mistake though, the reason why I posted Proverbs 3:5-8 is because most people think that by having bad thoughts in their minds, they think they already sinned. The enemy, the devil, can supply people with thoughts, mostly those that are very sickening. These thoughts petrify would-be believers at the onset from ever knowing Christ fully. Listen well my friend, when these thoughts of sin come into your head, you have every right and power in His name to cast them out. Prayer is more than just words uttered, it's our weapon to declare who our God is. And that's Jesus Christ! Blessings to you my friend!

[John 8:32]

fight sin? I grew up in rough areas and around very sinful people. What is the best way to fight sin in my mind and my life? Once when I was very sick and had a bad infection I felt really close to God. In my mind I was able to see clearly the life I should live. However, when I am not challenged I don't see life quite as clear. I was thinking of fasting but was wondering if it would just be temporary like my sickness was or if it would interfere with work. Any experience with this or other suggestions?

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Sounds trite but it is the word of God.

[DDGresham1]

Thanks guys. I will print these out and read them for a while to remind myself and allow God's word to inspire me. Thanks to everyone that responded. God Bless.

[jecelpabor]

You are most welcome, DDGresham1. However, remember: It's always best to find comfort in His presence with his Word, and not really ours. Printing these scriptures and reading them would prove beneficial, but I strongly suggest you have your own devotional with Him, reading His word, listening to Him, and praying to Him! Stay faithful, my friend. I have prayed for you!

[DDGresham1]

I hear you, amen !

Very, very recently God all mighty, Father of Christ Jesus has brought me to see my need, my need to clean my selfish mind too, to capture every thought, to examine every thought to be able to rid the thoughts which do or will not function in the Spirit of Him.

I asked and He reminded me that I need to be continually washed by His and His Son's words.

Not continually washed by His Son's shed blood, but continually washed by His words, amen.

I have been for two weeks realizing my shame and guilt by the things that still enter into my mind.
I forgot that I need to daily wash my mind with Christ Jesus's and His Father's words, either by reading or hearing or speaking.... and also forgiving my fellows, amen.


It works friend, God bless you.

I hear ya brother...it's not easy to "capture every thought." Keep at it and I will too.

[DDGresham1]

You are most welcome, DDGresham1. However, remember: It's always best to find comfort in His presence with his Word, and not really ours. Printing these scriptures and reading them would prove beneficial, but I strongly suggest you have your own devotional with Him, reading His word, listening to Him, and praying to Him! Stay faithful, my friend. I have prayed for you!

I'll do that. Thanks for the replies.

[MoreMercy]

Father of our Lord Christ Jesus, keep our mind full of you always, and also keep our mind full of all of your creation's purposes and their first named functions.
http://www.hissheep.org/deliverance/...t_captive.html

[Caleb]

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Many Christians are saved, but left bound up with grave clothes.
Often they are given a Christian manual and left to get on with freeing themselves from this sin and that sin. They are left despondent and even fearful because they are not living and growing nor baring fruit for God's glory.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He turned to those around, and said that they were to Loose him, and let him go.

It is the Bodies work to take off the grave clothes and set him free from being bound up.
We have all been given certain gifts to minister to one another's needs.