Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 57Someone has simplistically stated, “Sin is our respond to Satanic suggestions; faith isour response to Devine revelation.”Satan cannot control our will, he will however influence it as much as we will lethim! The “wiles of the devil,” mention in Ephesians 6:6 above, refer to Satan’s sly tricks,stratagems and devices to trip us up.LIVING WITH OUR FEELINGSWatching ads on television, or read the ads in the newspaper or magazines, letsyou know the high priority our generation places on “feeling good” and how it can beachieved. First you should be surrounded by the right things – the latest styles ofclothing, a new car, and, of course, a home in the right neighborhood. Second, youshould be free of all physical discomfort. If you have a headache, take a pain killer. Ifyou are depressed, there are stimulants. If you have tension, take some kind ofdepressant. A bumper sticker captures the mood of our culture – “If it feels good, doit!”It is significant that the first sin ever committed was that of choosing to followfeelings rather than to obey God’s commands. The forbidden tree promised to satisfyEve’s hunger; Satan told her she would obtain wisdom. She craved and she ate. But herdesire was at odds with God’s command. Since that time, people have been livingaccording to the dictates of their feelings -- indulging the desires of the flesh and mind.Feelings in themselves are not evil! God created us with the ability to feel painand joy; Christ Himself is touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Tostoically – [without passion] – ignore our feelings or reject them is to invite callousnessand indifference Paul condemned the wicked who were no longer capable ofcompassion, but were “past feeling” (Ephesians 4:19). But our feelings are not a fullyreliable guide for behavior either. The feeling of hunger is given by God to keep usalive; without it we would starve. But our craving for food must be kept in check, orelse we will become gluttonous. Feelings of hunger must be restrained for the totalgood of the body.The same can be said for sexual feeling and even feelings of anger and love. Ourwill – [the door to our sub-conscious] – must provide a check on the stream of emotionsthat ebb and flow through our being. If we follow our feelings wherever they may lead,we will be fulfilling virtually every meaningless desire.When I use the word “feeling” I am speaking of “inclinations,” “passing likings,”“momentary urges.” I do not mean those deep currents of emotion that are part of theunity of our person. This study is not about an easy cure for deep emotionaldisturbances!