Overcoming Sin

Sin. This is our problem isn't it? Sin separates us from God. Sin burdens us down with guilt and holds us back from enjoying the life that Jesus come to make possible. How do we deal with it? How can we overcome Satan and his devices? Let me give some practical suggestions:

First, we must recognize sin for what it is. We live in a culture where politicians and judges are telling us  that they have the right to define sin for us. Sin is not defined by government. Sin is more than political correctness. Some preachers, priests and rabbis believe they have the right to decide what sin is or is not. They don't!! God does.

• Sin is a transgression of His law. Whoever commits sin

transgresses the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

• Sin is not living by faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin.

• Sin is missing the mark. All have sinned and fall short

of the glory of God.

 If we are to ever overcome our sins, we must agree with God on what sin is... Right?

We must acknowledge that we are a part of the problem.  The first step to overcoming any problem is setting aside our pride and admitting our faults. James tells us that sin becomes a reality when we are drawn away by our own lust, our own evil desires and enticed. That enticement leads to sin. Overcoming sin begins with our learning to control our own desires and passions.

Too many of us are trying to blame our sins on our parents, our environment or our genetics. Yes, they may have a part to play in our weakness toward a specific sin, but we have a will that can say NO to our weaknesses, faults and passions. Let's grow up!! Its time to take responsibility for who and what we are. When we do, with God's help, we can overcome sin.

Determine the cause. Perhaps we need to stop doing some things we are doing, give up some activities that pull us into Satan's trap. Scripture tells us that evil companions, bad company, an evil environment, corrupts good character and stunts spiritual growth.

Ask ourselves some tough questions: Am I keeping the wrong company? Reading the wrong books and magazines, watching the wrong videos and televisions shows? Visiting the wrong web sites? What do I need to change to lessen the temptation? And then be willing to accept the answer.

Surrender... Yield... Submit... Obey. It is not enough to KNOW right from wrong and what sin is. James says, He that knows to do right and does it not is still living in sin. We must know that we belong to the one we obey, Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus... Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of                             righteousness.

For many of us, it is time to stop learning more truth, and more about truth, and start obeying the truth we already know. Right?

Seek godly help. Sometimes it is necessary to consult a good Christian counselor or spiritual friend for advice and help support our decision to change. Don't try to go it alone if you need help. Solomon tells us that even the wise need counsel and encouragement at times, let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. God created us for relationships. He knew we needed one another.

Trust in God. The promise to the Christian is that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond that which we are able to say no to. He promises us power to overcome. In his gospel, John says, As many as received Jesus, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

We must know that if God loved us enough to send His one and only Son to die for us, that He will empower us to live in response to that grace gift. God has a purpose for your life and mine. Be like David, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. Trust Him! Trust Him!

Get ready for the victory! O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. When we take these steps to overcome sin, we must prepare ourselves for His healing. God is going to do something great in us, with us, for us and by us. Are we ready? Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through Jesus... For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

May God bless our efforts to overcome sin.

—Randall Caselman