Overcoming Sin
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Overcoming Sin
Overcoming Sin
"Marks of a Mature Christian”
Overcoming Sin
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 john 1.8-2.1
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Look at the text!
Vs 8 we all sin
Vs 9 – confess sin; forgiveness of sin
Vs 10 – we all sin
2:1 – not supposed to sin ; but when you do you have an advocate
A wonderful blessing we receive when we become Christians is the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ.
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
This does not mean that our problem with sin is over...
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Overcome - to get the better of; to gain the superiority
Overcome - to get the better of; to gain the superiority
If we are to maintain a close walk with God, and ultimately receive the riches of glory He has prepared for us, we must overcome the problem of sin in two ways:
#1- By sinning less and less -
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
#2 - By knowing what to do when we do sin -
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
To Overcome Sin we must 1st understand
I. HOW SIN DEVELOPS
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1. THE FIRST STAGE IS "TEMPTATION"...
In , we see that "temptation" includes two things:
1. DESIRE (some translations say "lust", suggesting a strong desire for something)
2. ENTICEMENT (an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire)
Putting it in the form of a simple equation:
TEMPTATION = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY
To illustrate:
A small boy is TEMPTED to steal some cookies when he WANTS (desire) them and has an OCCASION (opportunity) to take them
The temptation becomes stronger if he wants them badly, and has a good chance of getting them without being seen
PLEASE NOTE: At this stage in the development of sin, actua sin has not yet been committed
a. It is not a sin to be "tempted"
b. For Jesus Himself was "tempted as we are, yet without sin"
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
2. THE SECOND STAGE IS "SIN" ITSELF...
"When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin" -
It becomes sin when we ACT and YIELD to the temptation
Thus sin involves the added step of some sort of action on our part
Again, in the form of a simple equation:
SIN = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION
3. THE THIRD STAGE INVOLVES THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN: "DEATH"
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The "death" spoken here refers to spiritual separation from God This separation occurs first in this life - cf.
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Putting all this into a final equation:
DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION + NO FORGIVENESS = DEATH
II. HOW TO OVERCOME SIN – Four Areas
1.CHANGE OUR "DESIRES"...
Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best place for us to begin
Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change our desires –
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. 2 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.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Key - How do we change our desires?
Notice that the WORD OF GOD has always been instrumental in helping people overcome sin - ;
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
That I might not sin against thee.
To see how the Word of God can change our desires...
As we read of God's love, longsuffering and mercy, we
desire to serve Him -
Key - As we read of sin and its damnable consequences, we come to hate it! –
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
So the more we study God's Word, the less likely we will have the DESIRE to sin, thereby beginning to overcome sin by "nipping it in the bud"!
But changing our desires takes time; while engaged in the process of changing our desires, what else can we do?
2. LIMIT OUR "OPPORTUNITIES"...
Remember, we are tempted only when there is BOTH desire and opportunity
So while we work on changing our desires, we should limit the opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires
This can be done by ASKING FOR GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL HELP, as
Jesus taught -
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
We can cooperate with God by:
Key - Purposely avoiding situations that might excite wrongful desires
Following the example of David –
–43 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Illustration
Avoiding those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin
with them
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
3. EXERCISE "SELF-CONTROL"...
Remember, it becomes sin when we yield to ACTION in fulfilling our sinful desires
If we can control ourselves so as to not yield, then we can overcome sin!
How does the Christian exercise self-control?
Self-control is but one aspect of the "fruit of the Spirit
When we become Christians, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives - ;
The Spirit is God's instrumental agent by which He imparts strength to us -
Strengthened by the Spirit, we are able to "put to death the deeds of the body" -
As Paul said: "I can do all things through Him who
strengthens me." -
The Christian, then, has no excuse for yielding to a
temptation -
4. OBTAIN "FORGIVENESS"...
Remember that sin is victorious when it results in punishment
But if we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin! -
SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT OVERCOMING SIN...
1. If you noticed carefully, you should have seen that at each of the four points in the development of sin, God is able and willing to help us overcome sin!
· God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to renew our minds
· God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE as we pray for such
· God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man
· God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through the BLOOD OF HIS SON as we repent and pray
-- Isn't the grace of God wonderful? –
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
CONCLUSION
SOME QUESTIONS TO STIMULATE YOUR THINKING...
1. Are you engaged in a daily Bible study program which will help you develop the proper kind of desires?
2. Do you "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation"?
3. Do you avoid circumstances and companions that you know would entice you to sin?
4. Do you pray that God will strengthen you "by His Spirit in the inner man"?
5. Do you ask God daily to forgive your sins, and to help you overcome sin in your life?