Many Christians are
caught in a web. They desire to do right, but their feet are prone to travel
into the trappings of the evil one. Sin can be habit forming or addictive, and
the journey to freedom can sometimes be elusive. Paul the Apostle said in
Romans 7:22-23, “So I find this law at
work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For
in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see
another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and
making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” If one of the
most spiritual men in the Bible struggled with sin, we will too. But later in
that chapter Paul said, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this
body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me
through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
There
are several keys that Jesus offers us that can unlock victory for us in our
battle against sin. If we use them, we will triumph. Here are just a
few…
1.
Develop and maintain sorrow for
sin coupled with the resolve to win. Do
not ever acquiesce to failure. Do not succumb to Satan’s lie that you will
never overcome. When you fall, ask God for forgiveness and repent – every time.
Proverbs 24:16 says, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they
rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
2.
Know who you are in Christ. If you are a believer, you are on solid ground. The New
Testament calls you righteous, a new creation, more than a conqueror and an
overcomer. It also says that you are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ.
Meditate on scriptures that communicate who you are in Christ and develop a
habit of speaking these verses over your life.
3.
Flee from Temptation. Run from people, places and things that draw you away
from a godly life.
4.
Believe that when you ask for
forgiveness, God forgives you. There
is no condemnation for those in Christ and we have been accepted by God. Even
when you still struggle with temptation, God wants you to experience His love
and acceptance.
5.
Speak the word of God in the
face of temptation. This is what Jesus did to defeat Satan when
he was tempted. The word of God is your sword of victory.
6.
Be filled with the Spirit. Ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit with the
evidence of speaking in tongues, and allow Him to fill you again and again.
7.
Share your struggles with a
trusted and mature Christian friend, counselor or Pastor. James 5:16 says, “Therefore
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be
healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Using these keys will enable you to find freedom
over sin. It may take time. Growth is a process, but victory is possible. Trust
the Lord to overcome. Blessings to you on your journey.
