Overcoming Sin
Good evening. Tonight we are going to continue to look at how to develop and maintain a Closer Walk With God. This evening we are going to take a look at overcoming sin.
Before we to that, let’s open with a word of prayer. Let’s Pray!
A wonderful blessing we receive when we become a Christian is the forgiveness of sin. This does not mean however, that our problem with sin is over. We all still sin at times in our daily lives. In I John 1:8 it says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
So, we still sin, but we have the promise of forgiveness if we take it to God. But, Satan does his best to cause us to sin. In fact, in I Peter 5:8 it says to, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
One thing that we need to learn in life is this, sin breaks our fellowship with God. If we are to maintain a close walk with God, and ultimately enjoy the blessings that God has prepared for us, we must overcome the problem of sin. This is done in 2 ways. One, by sinning less and less, and secondly, by knowing what to do when we do sin.
I John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
Now, I think that in order to understand how to overcome sin, we first need to know how sin develops. Does anyone know how sin develops?
Well, there is an equation for sin. ? + ? + ? = Sin. Any ideas what those things are?
Well, the first stage to sin is temptation. James 1:14 says, “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”
Now, this includes 2 things: desire and opportunity. So, Desire + Opportunity = Temptation. But temptation in itself is not sin yet. Satan has a way of making desire meet with opportunity. And the thing about temptation is that it is tailor made for each person. What tempts me, may not tempt you, and vise versa. So, Desire + Opportunity = Temptation.
The second stage to sin is sin itself. When desire moves to the next stage, it gives birth to sin. James 1:15 goes on to say, “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin…”
So, Desire + Opportunity + Action = Sin. Action is a deliberate decision that we each make. It is a choice that we all face, do we take action on the temptation that we face, or do we interrupt the progression to sin and choose to not act upon the temptation. Either way, it is a choice that we make. So, Desire + Opportunity + Action = Sin.
And that leads to the final stage. The third stage is the consequence of un-repented, and therefore un-forgiven sin. This is known as death. James 1:15 continued to say, “…and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
So, we have Desire + Opportunity + Action = Sin – Forgiveness = Death. Death is a separation. It is the separation from the spirit, possibly the physical body, and especially separation from God.
Forgiveness comes from God alone, and without forgiveness, there is death. So, Desire + Opportunity + Action = Sin – Forgiveness = Death.
Well, if we want to have a closer walk with God, we have to do something about sin. So, how do we overcome sin?
What are some practical steps that we could take to avoid sin in our lives?
Well, the first thing that we can do is change our desire. And this is part of our growth in Christ. In Galatians 5:24 it says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
The question is, do we want new things? Do we want to change our desires? If so, if we can change our desires, then we have changed the equation all together.
Secondly, we need to limit our opportunities. Remember this, temptation only occurs when there is both desire and opportunity. So while you work on changing your desires, you should also work on limiting your opportunities to do wrong. In Matthew 26:41 it says, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
The third step that we can take in order to overcome sin, is to exercise a little self-control. Despite what some people may think, you can control your own actions. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and SELF-CONTROL. Against such things there is no law.”
As you work on changing your desires and limiting your opportunities to sin, you should really work hard and controlling your actions when the other 2 lead you astray.
And finally, seek forgiveness. When a Christian realizes that they have sinned against God, they need to repent, and confess their sin to God. The only way to have a close relationship with God is to seek His forgiveness. If you want to avoid the consequence of Desire + Opportunity + Action = Sin – Forgiveness = Death, the only thing that you can do is go to God and seek His forgiveness.
In I John 1:9 it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Now, as a side note, don’t forget this, sins are not only committed by our actions, they can also be committed by our inaction. James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.”
So, there are sins of omission, things that we don’t do that we should, and there are sins of commission, things that we do that we shouldn’t.
Now, if we can change that equation, and we can avoid that temptation, then we can celebrate in the promise of James 1:12. In that passage, it says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
Now, before we close tonight, I want to share one last thing with you. In order to have a closer walk with God, we need to learn how to overcome sin. A way that we can begin to overcome sin is to be able to discern between good and evil.
Deciding what’s right and what’s wrong is usually very simple. All it involves is asking 7 simple questions. Any ideas what type of questions we should ask?
1. Is it clearly condemned in the Bible? You know what, the Bible gives us some very plain lists of sins. We need to read over those, and then not make anymore excuses.
In Galatians 5:19-21 it says, “1”
Also, in Ephesians 5:3-7 it says, “2”
So, ask yourself, is it clearly condemned in the Bible?
2. Is it similar to things condemned in the Bible? Just because it is packaged differently, the Bible may still address that issue. In other words, the Bible doesn’t say anything about doing drugs, but it does talk about how the body is a temple, and we need to take care of our selves. So, we need to ask the question, is it similar to things condemned in the Bible?
3. Does it hurt your conscience? In Acts 24:16 it says, “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”
In I Timothy 4:1-2 it says, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
And finally, in Romans 14:22-23 it says, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubt is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
So, we need to ask ourselves, does it hurt our conscience?
4. Does it hinder your influence? In other words, if a non-Christian saw you do this, would that bring them closer to Christ, or would it make them question Christianity and the church. In Matthew 5:13-16 it says, “3”
So, ask yourself this, does it hinder my influence on others?
5. What do spiritually mature Christians say about it? It is important to get advice, to seek out the right people and see what they have to say about it. In Hebrews 5:14 it says, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Now, sometimes people can think they know what the Bible has to say about an issue, but they really don’t. So, it is always important to see what spiritually mature Christians have to say about it.
6. Is it for stewardship? In I Corinthians 6:19-20 it says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
7. W.W.J.D.? We like to wear His name, it’s about time we start wearing His attitude as well. In Luke 6:40 it says, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
In I Corinthians 11:1 it says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
And finally, in Philippians 2:5 it says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”
So, from time to time, we need to ask ourselves, W.W.J.D.?
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, as we wrap things up this evening, what is there that is worth doing that would make us an enemy of God’s? What is worth doing that will separate us from His presence? If we want to have a closer walk with God, then we have to learn how to avoid sin. We need to know how sin develops. We need to know how to overcome sin. And we need to know the difference between good and evil.
Let’s Pray!
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