Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 12Do you doubt God’s goodness? Are you fully prepared to accept that the will ofGod is perfect and acceptable? What would you think if God did take away that onedesire, that one weakness? If God delivered you from all sensual thoughts, wouldn’tyou feel cheated? If God denied you of what you a convinced would be pleasure, doyou feel ripped off? If you became victorious over some habit you deem sinful, wouldyou be resentful because you are denied a bit of pleasure?Are you beginning to understand why we cannot begin to break a sinful habitunless we have a firm conviction of God’s goodness? The reason is simple: if we doubtGod’s goodness we will not really want to change! As long as we have the notion, orskepticism, that God’s way is robbing us -- rather than enriching us -- we will have nodesire to change.The most frustrating problem in helping those who come for counsel is simplythat most people do not really want to change. They are willing to make minoradjustments – particularly if their behavior is getting them into trouble! But most ofthem are comfortable with their sin as long as it doesn’t get out of hand. Many oftenprefer to have God keep His activity in their lives to a minimum.What causes this lack of enthusiasm for getting rid of sin? We are afraid thatsome worthwhile pleasure will pass us by! We question whether God’s way is indeedthe best.If one doubts God’s goodness, they will not only resist change, but will also fearit. Many simply cannot give their future to God because they fear that God mightrequire them to give up some life plan they seek to accomplish. They doubt whetherGod’s will for them is really the best.Countless Christians resist surrender to God, frightened at what God might askthem to do. He might lead them to the mission field –- have them to remain single – orrequire that they give up their love of money –- or pursuit of some sinful pleasures.When we doubt God’s goodness, and hug our sin tightly to our bosom, afraidthat God will rob us of our crutch, our pastime, or our pleasure. Occasionally we arestirred to give up our sin, but soon find we can’t risk the loss.But is our way really better than God’s? Was Satan the good guy in the Gardenof Eden? Or, was God the villain? Jesus put the matter straight, when He speaks ofSatan’s activity in John 10:10. He said, “The thief - [Satan] - comes only to steal, and kill, anddestroy; I come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” To believe our way isbetter than God’s way is to take our place with, and even and believe Satan’s lie. Nomatter how many pleasures Satan offers us, his ultimate intention is to ruin us. Ourdestruction is his highest priority!