Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time |
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We’ve been considering some of the necessary steps toward killing sin. That’s a binding command for every believer. No one is exempt from slaying sin (Colossians 3:5), but no one is powerless against it either (Romans 8:13). God has equipped and empowered all those who abide in Christ (John 15:5) with the necessary wisdom and weapons to succeed. Here are the steps we have considered:
First, understand your true position as a Christian. You are in Christ, united to Him through faith. He already triumphed over sin and His victory becomes your victory.
Second, weaken sinful habits and strengthen righteous behavior. Starve out sin, cut off all provision. Lay it aside like an old, worn out garment and replace it with righteous, godly behavior.
Third, fill your mind with Scripture. Let it saturate your mind, control your affections and determine the course of your life. Unleash the Word of God on your sins.
And now for the fourth and final step: Prepare for battle.
Now that you understand the nature and strategy of your enemy, prepare for its attacks. That means you anticipate ambushes, think like a soldier, train yourself for battle, and select your comrades carefully.
Along those lines, here are some final, practical steps you can take:
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Do you constantly set your mind on those attributes of Christ, or do base, earthly thoughts occupy your mind? Contemplate the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5). Train your mind, Christian.
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave. (1 Cointhians 9:25-27)Paul fought like a man in a boxing match, and he ran like a man in a marathon. He battled fatigue and frustration by pressing forward and keeping his eyes on the prize—Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:14). Paul understood what was at stake and trained himself accordingly.
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
That’s a powerful reminder that you and I don’t fight in this war alone. We need each other. God reminds us of this in numerous places (Romans 12:4-5; Galatians 6:1-2; Hebrews 10:25). Only a fool isolates himself (Proverbs 18:1). In the war against sin, a lone ranger is a dead ranger.
Those are just a few practical measures you can take to prepare yourself for battle. God has granted us victory in the war against sin, but we must engage in the battle. To dodge the divine draft notice is to forfeit all hope of victory.
Robert Moffat understood that concept. He served as a missionary to South Africa for more than half a century and said, “We have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.” May God grant you strength in that heated hour of battle.
Slay your sins, Brethren.
Tommy Clayton
Content Developer and Broadcast Editor
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