Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 48richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with Psalmsand hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians3:16).Getting Practical1. Paul lists 9 characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 ---which 2 are the most evident in your life? What 2 are the least evident?2. Think specifically of ways in which the fruit of the Spirit can be furtherdeveloped in your life. Ask questions such as:(a) What obstacles in my life hinder the ministry of the Spirit? Is itunconfessed sin – strained personal relationships – lack ofcommitment – little time spent in Bible reading or prayer?(b) Have you ever asked God to control you with His Spirit? James4:2 says we have not because we ask not. Simply thank God forHis control each day, knowing that He will give you strength.3. The most important ingredient in releasing the Spirit’s power in our lives isfaith. Our faith is strengthened by, (a) making the Word of God the focus of ourattention, and (b) developing the habit of praise. Think of creative ways to make thesepractices a part of your daily activity.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lesson 7Renewing the MindThe cycle seems to repeat its self --- something is bothering us, knowing whatScripture teaches:• We attempt to give our anxiety over to God, and feel relieved for themoment, only to find that within a short period of time the weight of it isback on our shoulders.• We ask God to help us to control our temper, only to discover thatsomething happens and we find our anger out of control once more.• We pray that we will not harbor lustful thoughts, yet even as we “reckonour self to be dead” to all sinful impulses, realize that in an unguardedmoment suggestive thoughts refuse to be pushed out of our mind.We surrender our self to God -- but then soon, so easily, revert to our old habitsonce more. We mean well, but do so poorly – Why?In Luke, chapter 11, Jesus tells a story that illustrates an important principle inbreaking a sinful habit. A man, who had been inhabited by a demon, rejoiced whenthat sinister spirit was expelled. The wicked spirit then passed through “waterlessplaces,” seeking rest. Finding none, it decided to return to its original abode. To itssatisfaction, the demon saw that its original house was unoccupied, swept, and put inorder. It then found “seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there,and the last sate of that man becomes worse than the first” (Luke 11:26).