Dealing with nagging sin Part 2
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Last week we Discovered
Last week we Discovered
sin is vigilant
sin deceives
desires
Sin Destroys
Lusting
Sin is Enticing
Many Christians struggle with Nagging sins.
this wondering of heart is common and subtle. so common hymns were written about it so subtle, you can only tell much of the time when bigger issues arise.
all sin can be forgiven and subdued.
We Must be vigilant in our struggle against it.
Here are four strategies from John Owens for maintaining vigilance in nagging persistent sin. (Last week we covered two:
1) hate it
2) starve it
this week we will continue in our study of dealing with nagging sin.
this week we will continue in our study of dealing with nagging sin.
we will move on in the next two steps:
we will move on in the next two steps:
3. Corner it. & 4. Overwhelm it
3. Corner it. & 4. Overwhelm it
how do we corner our nagging sin ?
how do we corner our nagging sin ?
Sin, like any other enemy, thrives among its allies:
Sin, like any other enemy, thrives among its allies:
unhappiness
exhaustion
discouragement
discouragement are some that come to mind).
are some that come to mind some others may come to mind for you.
To wage effective war against sin, therefore, we must deprive it of the opportunities and occasions it makes use of. John Owen is helpful once again:
To wage effective war against sin, therefore, we must deprive it of the opportunities and occasions it makes use of. John Owen is helpful once again:
Consider what ways, what companies, what opportunities, what studies, what businesses, what conditions, have at any time given, or do usually give, advantages to your distempers, and set yourself heedfully against them all. Men will do this with respect unto their bodily infirmities and distempers. The seasons, the diet, the air that have proved offensive shall be avoided. Are the things of the soul of less importance? Know that he that dares to dally with occasions of sin will dare to sin. He that will venture upon temptations unto wickedness will venture upon wickedness.
This means we need to study the particular triggers of sin in our lives.
This means we need to study the particular triggers of sin in our lives.
It could be a geographical location (like a bar if you’re a recovering alcoholic),
but I find it’s more commonly emotions and unhealthy habits that we need to avoid.
Lust is greatly weakened when it cannot appeal to fatigue, emotional need, loneliness, and shame.
It’s more difficult to succumb to envy when you’re soaking your heart in your heavenly inheritance.
Sinful anger often melts away when you are spending time with exceptionally kind, forgiving people.
In short, an effective fight against a nagging sin will often involve thoughtful consideration to your sleep, exercise, diet, emotional life, and relationships.
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Overwhelm it.
Overwhelm it.
In the gospel, God has given us the resources that we need to deal with nagging sins. Let me just mention three:
patience
pardon
power.
Patience
Patience
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
The gospel means that God has “perfect patience”for us even amid our struggles with nagging sins. To truly kill a nagging sin, we need to know that God has not given up on us.
Pardon
Pardon
The gospel also means that God pardons our nagging sins.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Power
Power
Finally, the gospel means that God provides us with power, that we might overcome nagging sins.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Finally, the gospel means that God provides us with power, that we might overcome nagging sins
the spirit gives us those tools to battle against nagging sin.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
As John Owen counsels us:
Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of thy sin. His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls. Live in this, and thou wilt die a conqueror. Yea, thou wilt, through the good providence of God, live to see thy lust dead at thy feet.
