Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 66Heredity, or guardian, also influences our will. We’ve all inherited from thetemperaments of our parents. Those who have studied human nature believe they havediscovered several distinct behavioral patterns. Every one of us is a combination ofthese temperaments.[Tim LaHaye’s book on “Spirit Controlled Temperaments” is a good study on this subject]But more important than our heredity or environment is the fact that we wereborn with a sinful nature --- a natural tendency to do evil rather than good. Scriptureteaches us that, it is our nature --- our natural instinct --- to indulge the desires of theflesh and of the mind. Our will is paralyzed, unable to choose the righteousness thatGod requires. Left to our self, we would never choose God – or His ways!Romans 3:10-11 states, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none whounderstands, there is none who seeks for God.” Left to “our self” we are not even able toseek God, much less live righteous lives.Those of us who live in America, in this day and age, have a great obsessionwith freedom. But our freedom, if it exists, is severely limited. At best, within certainlimits, we can pursue our desires, fulfill our wishes, and choose our own goals.However, we are not free to seek after God. How, then, can we be saved?Christ Jesus taught that no man can come to Him unless the Father draws him.He teaches in John 6:44, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Medraw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” and verse 64, “He said, Therefore said I untoyou, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.” God doesnot save us by circumventing our will. He works through it, giving us the ability tochoose. We have heard the expression, “Let go and let God,” implying that God will takeover and control us completely if we wish Him to do so. But this is not a Biblicalconcept! Our will does not become passive when we yield to God. A surrendered“will” experiences struggle, as Christ’s conflict in Gethsemane demonstrates.The Holy Spirit does not stop working with man’s will at the time of conversion.Paul wrote, “And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His – [God’s] – mightilyworks within me” (Colossians 1:29). The Comforter stands ready to come to our aid themoment we face a temptation or have a decision to make.The Basis of ChoiceBefore we can bring our will into harmony with God’s purposes, we needadequate goals for our life. If we do not believe that life is worth living, it won’t makemuch difference to us if we break sinful habits or reinforce them. A purposeful life,therefore, is the basis for discipline and determination to make right choices.Day to day activities have short-term meaning. If we choose to begin somechore –- say, for instance, clean the house, mow the lawn, or whatever job we intend to