
The inability to stop sinning is often due to a lack of understanding of God's strength. When we do not understand His power to save, forgive, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, we get caught in a destructive cycle of sin, guilt, and fear, which leads to a lack of joy in our salvation, which leads to more sin. To break this cycle, we must accept that we cannot stop sinning on our own and instead rest in the knowledge that God has saved us. This involves recognizing that our salvation is a product of God's grace, love, and purpose, rather than our own efforts to keep the law.
Additionally, we must understand that sin stems from our sinful nature and that we need to surrender our bodies to Jesus and allow Him to transform our minds and hearts. This means abstaining from fleshly lusts, fixing our hearts on Christ, meditating on God's Word, and being constant in prayer. By doing so, we can experience true freedom from sin and live a life pleasing to God.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Understanding God's strength | God's power to save, forgive, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness |
Understanding the law | The law aggravates our sin nature |
Understanding grace | The grace of God can do what the law could never do: cleanse us from sin |
Understanding salvation | Our salvation is entirely a product of God's grace, love, and purpose |
Understanding the mind | The more our mind is on earthly things, the more we are vulnerable to uncontrolled desires |
Understanding desires | Sin offers short-term pleasure but long-term consequences |
Understanding the heart | Fix your heart on Christ and Christ's likeness |
Understanding God's word | Meditate on God's word |
Understanding prayer | Be constantly in prayer |
What You'll Learn
Abstain from fleshly lusts
Abstaining from fleshly lusts is a challenging but necessary task for Christians. Peter, in his first letter to the early Christians, urged them to "abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Here are some ways to abstain from fleshly lusts and lead a life that glorifies God:
Be Spiritually Minded
Romans 8:6 says, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Being spiritually minded means aligning your thoughts and actions with God's will (Romans 8:5, 12:2). By filling your mind with God's word and submitting to the revelation of the Spirit, you can transform your thoughts and actions to glorify Him.
Produce Good Fruit
Galatians 5:22 outlines nine characteristics of Christian character, known as the fruit of the Spirit, which should be evident in the lives of believers. As you fill your mind with God's will, the Spirit produces this fruit in your life. Think of it as planting seeds – if you plant seeds of spirituality, you will reap a spiritual harvest (Luke 8:11).
Remove Sinful Influences
Exposing yourself to unholy things when striving for holiness is counterproductive. Paul asks, "What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). To overcome fleshly lusts, identify areas of temptation in your life and remove them (Matthew 5:29-30).
Understand the Illusion of Desires
Often, the fulfilment of sinful desires falls short of the anticipation. Proverbs 9:17-18 warns, "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol." Recognise that sinful desires are a mirage and will only lead to death and destruction.
Control Your Thoughts
Instead of trying to stop thinking about temptations, replace evil thoughts with godly ones (Philippians 4:8). Solomon advised his son to keep his heart and passions focused on his wife to overcome sexual sins (Proverbs 5:18-19).
Flee from Temptation
One of the most effective ways to abstain from fleshly lusts is to physically remove yourself from tempting situations. Joseph, in the Bible, is an excellent example of this, as he fled from Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). Draw boundaries and maintain a safe distance from anything that could lead you into sin.
Resist and Draw Near to God
James 4:7-10 provides a step-by-step guide to conquering sin: submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, cleanse your hands and mind, mourn over your sins, and humble yourself before God.
Remember, abstaining from fleshly lusts is an ongoing battle, but with God's help and by following these principles, you can lead a life that honours Him.
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Make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts
In Romans 13:14, the apostle Paul encourages Christians to "wake up from your slumber" and "make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires". This means not wasting time satisfying selfish cravings, but instead clothing ourselves with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Paul's message here is that we should not think about pleasing our flesh, as this will only fuel our lustful desires. Instead, we should put fleshly thoughts out of our minds and focus on worthy things. This is echoed in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
To make no provision for the flesh, we must identify our stumbling blocks and remove them. We must live and behave like Jesus Christ, putting others first and trusting God to provide for us. This means dying to the flesh and living in obedience to God and His word.
By yielding to the Holy Spirit's leading, we are transformed by the renewal of our minds and can better discern God's will. As Paul says in Galatians 5:16, "walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh".
In conclusion, to make no provision for the flesh, we must remove temptations, guard our hearts and minds, and focus our thoughts on worthy and praiseworthy things. We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and live in obedience to God, trusting Him to provide for our needs.
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Fix your heart on Christ
The Puritan writer John Owen observed that sin cannot be defeated through external means such as legalism, monasticism, or self-flagellation. Instead, the instrument of mortification is in the heart, and the means of mortification are drawn from simple commands of Scripture that the believer must obey.
Fixing your heart on Christ means pursuing Christ-likeness. 1 John 3:3 says, "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." When you fix your heart on Christ, you will become like Christ, and you will not choose things that make provision for your lust.
- Meditate on God's Word: When the Word fills you and overpowers your thinking and your life, that is what leads you to a Christ-centered focus. As you gaze into the glory of the Lord revealed in the Word, you're transformed into the image of Christ.
- Be constantly in prayer: Prayer is crucial as we ask the Lord for strength to resist sin.
- Present yourself to God: Allow God to work through your life instead of trying to use your willpower to live righteously. Trust that God will do it through your life.
- Renew your mind: Think about what the Word of God says about your identity in Christ and agree with it. Recognize that your true identity is in Christ, and sinful desires are not your desires.
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Meditate on God's Word
Meditating on God's Word is a powerful way to stop sinning and transform your life. Here are some reasons and ways to meditate on God's Word:
Understanding God's Power and Grace
Meditating on God's Word helps you understand His power to save, forgive, and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. When you grasp the depth of God's grace, love, and strength, you realise that your salvation does not depend on your efforts to keep the law or your level of sinfulness, but entirely on God's grace and purpose (Ephesians 2:8–9). This knowledge breaks the destructive cycle of sin, guilt, and fear, leading to true joy in your salvation.
Replacing Evil Thoughts with Godly Thoughts
When tempted, shout to yourself, "This is a mirage! This is a lie!" Replace evil thoughts with godly ones (Philippians 4:8). For example, if you struggle with lustful thoughts, focus on your spouse or your own wife, as Solomon taught his son (Proverbs 5:18-19).
Filling Your Mind with God's Word
Understanding the Illusion of Your Desires
Recognise that the fulfilment of sin is never as sweet as the anticipation. Sin offers short-term pleasure but long-term consequences. It is addictive and gives a brief "high" that cannot be obtained otherwise. Understand the illusion of your desires and Satan's temptations to overcome them.
Abiding in Christ
Fix your heart on Christ and pursue being like Him. As you worship Christ, you will become like Him (1 John 3:3). Ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?"
Praying for Strength
Prayer is crucial in your battle against sin. Ask the Lord for strength and mercy, drawing near to Him in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Pray specifically for Him to keep you from presumptuous sins (Psalm 19:13).
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Be constantly in prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool in the Christian's arsenal against sin. It is a means of communicating with God, seeking His help and guidance, and realigning our thoughts with His will. Through prayer, we can find strength and courage to resist temptation and break free from the bondage of sin.
Recognise Your Sin and Confess
The first step in overcoming sin is to recognise and confess your sins. Be specific and honest with God about your transgressions. Name the sins you have committed and acknowledge their impact on your life and the lives of others. Ask for forgiveness and express your desire to turn away from sin.
Renounce Sin and Break Agreements
Renounce your sins and break any agreements you have made with them. This means rejecting the sin's power over you and choosing to no longer be defined by it. Declare that you are dead to sin and alive to God through Christ (Romans 6:11).
Sanctify Your Life to Christ
Offer every area of your life to Jesus, including your emotions, sexuality, appetites, and addictions. Present yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). Dedicate your body and mind to Him, and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit, empowering you to live a life that honours Him.
Resist the Devil and Submit to God
Submit yourself to God and resist the devil, knowing that he will flee from you (James 4:7). Recognise that you are in a spiritual battle and that your enemy will try to discourage and distract you from praying. Be firm and persistent in your prayers, commanding the enemy to leave in the name of Jesus.
Invite Jesus to Heal Your Wounds
Invite Jesus into your wounds, brokenness, and painful memories. Allow Him to bring healing to your heart and restore your soul. Listen for His guidance and direction, as He may bring things to your mind that need to be addressed, such as forgiving others or forgiving yourself.
Pray for a New Heart and Right Desires
Ask God to create in you clean and pure desires. Pray for self-control and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) to empower you to say no to the impulses of the flesh. Pray for a renewed mind, that your thoughts and desires may be aligned with God's will and purposes for your life.
Accept Christ's Forgiveness and Stand Firm
Accept that you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Declare that you are forgiven and justified through His sacrifice. Stand firm in this truth, knowing that your salvation is not based on your performance but on Christ's finished work.
Pray for Others and Seek Support
Confess your sins to a trusted Christian friend, pastor, or counsellor. Bringing sin into the light helps to break its power and nullify shame. Consider seeking Christian counselling if needed. Pray for other believers who are struggling with sin, and encourage one another in your walk with Christ.
Be Consistent and Persistent in Prayer
Don't give up! Pray consistently and persistently, knowing that God hears your prayers and is faithful to answer in His perfect timing. Remember that sanctification is often a gradual process, and it takes time to untangle and heal from the roots of sin.
Meditate on God's Word and Worship Him
Meditate on Scripture and fill your mind with God's truth. Hide His Word in your heart, and allow it to transform your thinking and shape your desires. Worship God and enjoy His presence, for He is the source of true and lasting joy.
Remember, You Are Not Alone
Remember that you are not alone in your struggle against sin. All believers face temptation and battle with their sinful nature. Find encouragement in the body of Christ, and spur one another on towards love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Keep Fighting and Don't Give Up!
The battle against sin is ongoing, but take heart! God has provided a way of escape, and He will give you the strength to stand firm. Don't lose hope, but keep fighting the good fight of faith.
By being constantly in prayer and following these steps, you can experience victory over sin and live a life that honours God.
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