Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 30from His hand. If we cannot thank God for our condition and even ourtemptation – we are reviling against Him.One man wrestling with a fierce temptation said he could not resist it until hebegan giving thanks to God continually for his struggle. “Lord,” he prayed, “Ithank You for this temptation; even if I should be tempted from now until the day Idie, I give thanks for it to You.”The first step in getting God’s perspective is accepting the fact that we will betempted; and then choose to thank God for the opportunity it represents.2. Take a tour through our life, jotting down areas that need workWe need to spend some time defining our basic attitudes. What is it that reallybothers us? What do we really want? Are we rebelling against some person?Are we upset with our performance? – our appearance? Do we feel like afailure, a big zero? So we think that we have been shortchanged sincebecoming a Christian? Are we bitter against our parents – our mate – ourchildren – our employer? Are we angry with God because He hasn’t donewhat we think H ought to do? We need to spend some unhurried time, takinginventory.Close your eyes – or, whatever it takes to close yourself inalone with God, away from everything else, allow the HolySpirit to lead you on an excursion of every area of your life,as you search out the “hidden things” of your heart.Whenever we do this, we will, we, no doubt, will discover attitudes we didnot know we had. We may, even, get upset with our self because it takes us solong to accomplish this project –- for instance, we may uncover dissatisfactionwith our job –- lingering regrets over failure past attempts at some project --frustration in some personal relationships. All of this affects our attitude andperspective. God will reveal to us the way to handle there attitudes that affectour relationship with Him, that bring Him honor or dishonor.3. Reflect on our private struggles, then give our self and our problem completelyto GodThis means that we let go of our problem, no longer claiming our right tocontrol – our right to bitterness. We do this, knowing that God will require usto deal with those attitudes we have uncovered. This may be a painful andlong process, but it will be lastingly beneficial.We must not be afraid of what God might demand of us. One woman whowas very shy and withdrawn said she was afraid to give herself to God,because she might have to learn to be outgoing and friendly.We can be sure that God will not demand more from us than we can do.Whatever God asks of us, He will give us the strength to do!