Sunday, December 30, 2018 am
DEALING WITH OUR SINS (2)
Overcoming Sin
Two weeks ago, we
presented a lesson about dealing with our sins.
We addressed having a proper attitude toward sin (realizing that
it brings about death, our need to admit
our sins, take responsibility and to despise the very idea of sin), and
then we talked about forgiveness – what God has done to make forgiveness
possible and what we need to do to obtain forgiveness.
Today, we want to notice some other things we can do to help us
deal with our sins.
Here we talk about our attitude in overcoming sin.
You must make up your mind that you are going to overcome
whatever sin is there,
The typical mantra of life is, we do what we want to do.
Associated with this, we do what we set our minds to do –
if we really want to grow spiritually, we will – because our mindset
leads us to take the necessary steps to achieve that goal.
If we really want to overcome some sinful habit, we will!
If we DON’T want to overcome sinful conduct, we won’t!
The example of the Corinthians as they repented shows this – 2
Corinthians 7:11.
Colossians 3:2 – set your mind on things above.
Seek to expose sin and resist it with your all.
a.
Just as
Jesus did – “It is written” (Matthew 3:4, 7, 10)
b.
Psalm
119:11 – Your word I have hidden
in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
There is something to be said about writing down passages of
scripture and memorizing them.
c.
Psalm
37:30-31, The mouth of the
righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice. The law of his
God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.
d.
1 John 3:9
– Whoever has been born of God
does not sin, for His seed remains in him.
While this is about the influence of Christ, where do we learn of
this? Also consider what
Jesus described as, “the seed” – the word of God – Luke 8:11, Colossians
3:16 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
e.
How does
God’s word keep us from sinning?
i.
It reminds
us of what sin is – 1 John 2:1, John wrote “these
things…so that you may not sin”
ii.
It gives
us the way of escape – 1 Corinthians 10:13
iii.
It can be
a righteous diversion – typically, if we are studying God’s word, at
that time we are not involved in sin (provided we are studying with the
proper attitude).
f.
Write
down scriptures in places that remind you sin is lurking.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 finds Moses’
admonition to Israel to remind children.
Write it on the doorposts, talk about it frequently, “bind it as
a sign” (something that reminds you of a sin).
Some examples:
i.
Troubles
with lust – write the words of Job 31:1 – covenant with my eyes; or
Matthew 5:27-28 – to look upon a woman with lust…
ii.
Wasting
too much time – write down Ephesians 5:15-16 over the television or game
console, etc.
iii.
Financial
troubles – Proverbs 22:7 - the borrower is servant to the lender, etc.
iv.
Troubles
with your tongue – Matthew 12:36 – every idle word we will give an
account
a.
Prayer is
part of the forgiveness process as we noted in our last lesson on this
subject, so it is absolutely necessary to deal with sin.
Acts 8:22
b.
But we
also pray for wisdom, strength to overcome and resist, etc.
Lead us not into temptation – Matthew 6:13 – do not lead us into
temptation.
James 1:5-6 – it is in the context of dealing with temptations and
trials that we ask God for wisdom.
2 Peter 2:9 – the Lord knows how to
deliver the godly out of temptations
c.
John 17:15
– Jesus even uttered a prayer about this for us.
Luke 22:32 – He prayed for Peter knowing what he was about to
face (Satan sifting him as wheat).
d.
How often
are we called upon to pray – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without
ceasing; Ephesians 6:18, Luke 18:1, etc.
Someone observed that it is very unlikely that one is praying and
sinning at the same time. So
keep busy praying.
a.
The idea
of alertness points to this – 1 Peter 5:8-9 – be sober and vigilant – be
aware of the presence of the devil.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 – notice how as we watch we are not like those who
at night get drunk and are caught up in sins.
Those of the day are sober,…
1 John 4:1 calls for us to test the spirits whether they are of God.
b.
We are
called upon to continually examine ourselves – 2 Corinthians 13:5
c.
An example
- 1 Corinthians 11:28 – in a passage dealing with the Lord’s Supper
being properly taken, we are called upon to examine ourselves.
Note the warning, to partake in an unworthy manner is to bring
judgment (condemnation) upon ourselves.
EXAMINATION can prevent this.
d.
The life
of a Christian is about assessments and adjustments when needed.
If we are serious about overcoming sin, we will give ourselves
continually to examination.
I fully appreciate what David prayed for in Psalm 26:2,
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
Do we really want God examining our hearts?
a.
We have
noted in this study that sin begins with the heart – Proverbs 4:23 – out
of the heart spring the issues of life.
That is why we are called upon to keep it with diligence.
b.
How many
have corrupted or impure hearts because we allow worldly influences –
worldly entertainment, friends, attitudes, philosophies – too much time
in our lives?
c.
Jesus
noted that out of the heart proceed evil thoughts and actions – Matthew
12:34-35
d.
Matthew
5:8 – the pure in heart will see God.
e.
WHEN our
hearts are pure, we are thinking on godly things – Philippians 4:8
a.
Ephesians
6:10-11 – we put on God’s armor so that we can resist the devil and his
temptations.
b.
That armor
consists of godly qualities – the fruit of the Spirit, etc. Galatians
5:22-23, Ephesians 5:8-10
c.
When we
are developing and living with godly habits, we are better prepared to
deal with our spiritual enemy.
d.
1 John
5:18 says, We know that whoever is
born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself,
and the wicked one does not touch him.
a.
Recall the warning of Jesus
– be willing to cut off your hand or pluck out your eye – Mark 9:43-48.
b.
Choose your friends and associations
carefully – 1 Corinthians
15:33, 5:6 – a little leaven
Proverbs 1:10-16 – if your friends entice you to evil
c.
James 4:7
– resist the devil. A part
of overcoming sin is saying no to the devil and his ways.
1 Peter 5:8-9 – be alert and don’t let him devour you.
Resist him steadfast in the faith
a.
Galatians
6:10 – as we have opportunity let us do good to all,…
b.
Acts 10:38
– Jesus, our example, went about doing good.
c.
Idleness
often leads to sinful conduct – 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14 – Paul deals
with those who were not working and the problems it caused.
1 Timothy 5:13 – Paul gives reasons for younger widows to remarry – lest
they learn to be idle which leads to gossip and being busybodies, etc.
d.
If we will
keep busy doing godly things, we will remove opportunities to sin.
This includes personal things such as time spent in prayer and
Bible study, but also associating with our brethren.
Even just doing productive things in your life can keep you from
sinful things.
a.
NEVER
forget that the decisions you make today concerning sin could have
eternal consequences.
Unrepented sin leads to eternal condemnation – Luke 13:3
b.
One thing
we must remind ourselves of is the fact that judgment is coming.
We do not know how much time we have left.
We may die – Hebrews 9:27; The
Lord may return – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 2 Peter 3:10-11; something may
happen to you to incapacitate you.
We just don’t know!
That is why we must ALWAYS be ready.
c.
Anything
we do, ought to be done with the question – what if I have to stand
before God in this condition?
i.
The
parable of the rich fool – Luke 12:16-20.
ii.
James
4:13-14 – your life is a vapor
d.
Far too
many just don’t think about these things, OR they have outright
dismissed them doctrinally – OSAS, no hell, universalism, etc.
These “comfort doctrines” are a serious danger to the soul and
exponentially increase the possibility of one living in sin.
These are some steps
we can take to help us overcome sin in our lives.
The purpose of this study has been to remind us of the importance
of understanding sin, SO THAT we will do what we need to do to take care
of it. I commend this
brief study to you with this thought – what are you doing about the sin
in your life? Think about
it.