OVERCOMING SIN Having studied the nature of sin and the problems we endure due to them, surely one would not wish to keep SIN.
Man Sins Truth is often found in apparent contradictions: –1 Jn. 1: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. –1 Jn. 3:6 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. –Could be translated with “Whosoever continues to abide in Him, does not keep on sinning.” Simply put, The Christian strives to abide in Him, but may occasionally stumble, not to live the life of sin. Abiding involves our seeking forgiveness for that sin.
Man Sins Whether we will be forgiven of sins depends upon our motive for sinning. If through weakness or ignorance a Christian transgresses, one may by the blood of Christ we forgiven. 1 Jn. 2:1,2 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: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. If due to rebellion of the heart, He will not forgive unless we change that heart. Heb. 10:26-27
Man Sins Whether we will be forgiven of sins depends upon our motive for sinning. If through weakness or ignorance a Christian transgresses, one may by the blood of Christ we forgiven. 1 Jn. 2:1,2 If due to rebellion of the heart, He will not forgive unless we change that heart. Heb. 10: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. One must change to a heart of repentance, from rebellion. Then he can be forgiven.
Overcome Sin John wrote it is possible to overcome sin. Paul also must include this in Phil. 4: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. We might sin, having the ability, but we must overcome sin to be justified of God. Let us look at some things desirable to help us overcome successfully.
How to Overcome Sin? Recognize the Deceitfulness of Sin. 1Pet. 5:8, 1 Thess. 3:5, 2 Cor. 11:14 8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Satan tries to make evil look good. Anticipating the ways of the Devil, should help us avoid situations whereby we may be led to sin.
How to Overcome Sin? Recognize the Deceitfulness of Sin. 1Pet. 5:8, 1 Thess. 3:5, 2 Cor. 11:14 Acknowledge our weaknesses. Heb. 12:1. 1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Realize some sins are more likely to beset us. Each of us have our own area of weakness.
How to Overcome Sin? Recognize the Deceitfulness of Sin. 1Pet. 5:8, 1 Thess. 3:5, 2 Cor. 11:14 Acknowledge our weaknesses. Heb. 12:1. Determine to put sin to death! Jms. 1:6 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Can be no room for “ifs”, “buts”, or “Maybe I can”, the defeatest’s attitude. No faith in self or God. Jms. 1:7,8. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
How to Overcome Sin? Recognize the Deceitfulness of Sin. 1Pet. 5:8, 1 Thess. 3:5, 2 Cor. 11:14 Acknowledge our weaknesses. Heb. 12:1. Determine to put sin to death! Jms. 1:6 Must try our Best to Resist Sin. Jms. 4:7, 1 Cor. 9:26,27, 1 Pet. 4:18. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
How to Overcome Sin? Recognize the Deceitfulness of Sin. 1Pet. 5:8, 1 Thess. 3:5, 2 Cor. 11:14 Acknowledge our weaknesses. Heb. 12:1. Determine to put sin to death! Jms. 1:6 Must try our Best to Resist Sin. Jms. 4:7, 1 Cor. 9:26,27, 1 Pet. 4:18. Look for the way of Escape. 1 Cor. 10:13 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
How to Overcome Sin? Recognize the Deceitfulness of Sin. 1Pet. 5:8, 1 Thess. 3:5, 2 Cor. 11:14 Acknowledge our weaknesses. Heb. 12:1. Determine to put sin to death! Jms. 1:6 Must try our Best to Resist Sin. Jms. 4:7, 1 Cor. 9:26,27, 1 Pet. 4:18. Look for the way of Escape. 1 Cor. 10:13 Avoid Tempting Situations. Ex. Driving. 1 Tim. 6:11 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Be vigilant and watchful. 1 Cor. 10:12 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
How to Overcome Sin? Fill our lives with GOOD. –If we root out sin, must fill the void with good. –Christian has more worthy objectives to fill our minds and time with. Secure the Help of other Christians. Gal. 6:2 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Sharing with a brother brings us into focus.
How to Overcome Sin? Fill our lives with GOOD. –If we root out sin, must fill the void with good. –Christian has more worthy objectives to fill our minds and time with. Secure the Help of other Christians. Gal. 6:2 Pray. Closest friend of all is GOD! Mt. 7:7, 11 Includes wisdom and strength to endure. 7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
How to Overcome Sin? Fill our lives with GOOD. –If we root out sin, must fill the void with good. –Christian has more worthy objectives to fill our minds and time with. Secure the Help of other Christians. Gal. 6:2 Pray. Closest friend of all is GOD! Mt. 7:7, 11 Includes wisdom and strength to endure. TRUST GOD! Prayer implies trust, yet it is possible to utter and not fully place confidence in Him. Success in overcoming sin depends upon both God and the sinner. Christians may make strides in overcoming, but must have divine aid to achieve it.
How to Overcome Sin? Conclusion: –We are expected to overcome sin and walk in the light. This implies our ability to do so. These are general principals to guide us in overcoming sin. A careful look at 1 John will secure our salvation, teaching us to stop sinning. Remember we can escape thru Christ.