Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 71We may be hovering between God and the stubborn habit. Now it is our desires– now it is God’s. We may not, at first know what the outcome, or decision, will be.But the father we go in God’s direction, the less attraction the world will have! Theday will come when our choices will be easier. Saying, ”Yes” to God can be habitforming.There is another lesson we can learn from this illustration. We can’t say “No” totemptation unless we say, “Yes” to God! Like the magnet, the world will never lose itspower to attract. To merely resist its power is pointless; no will is strong enough. Butwhat we do is focus our attention on God as revealed in the Scriptures and then weremove our self from the sphere of the world’s influence.We can’t resist enticing thoughts simply by saying, “I resist that thought!” Thethought returns again and again. However, we have the ability to switch our thoughtsto the Scriptures --- quote a verse, offer praise, or renew our fellowship with God. Onlyin the presence of the Almighty does the world lose its lure.God has given us the resources to say, “No” to sin. Paul urged his readers toobey, but not merely by appealing to their unaided human wills. He reminded themthat, “it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure”(Philippians 2:13). God works in us by energizing our will. He helps us make thedecisions that we ought to make and ultimately really want to make.God uses our struggles with temptations to teach us how to depend on Hispower. The final end of the fruit-of-the-Spirit is “self-control.” That word, “self-control,”means literally, “to hold oneself in.” It refers to the mastery of desires --- in the interest ofhigher ideals.Don’t feel powerless against a barrage of temptation. Maybe you have aninsatiable desire for drugs, alcohol, and excess calories. (Maybe your sins are justrestricted to your mind.) Whatever your sins, there is hope. Like Christ, Moses, and aninnumerable host of saints before you, you can say “No” to any stubborn habit, bysetting the right priorities. And the more you learn to love Christ, the less you will beattracted by the world.Getting Practical1. Read Psalm 73 – the story of Asaph who began to wonder whether servingGod was worthwhile, or not. Notice particularly how his problem was solved when hebegan to focus on eternal rather than temporal rewards.2. Ponder Proverbs 25:28. Describe the characteristics of someone who has nocontrol over his spirit. What are the advantages of being disciplined?3. Take an inventory of your life by asking, “In what areas am I resisting God’scomplete ownership?” Suggested areas might be: time, pleasure, recreation, vocation,health, reputation, marital status, friendships, etc. Pray and give these areas fully toGod.