OVERCOMING SIN

A wonderful blessing we receive when we become Christians is the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ.

At our BAPTISM, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all PAST sins because of our faith in Jesus and our repentance.

Revelation 1:5

“…to Him who loved us and freed us from our sins by His blood.”

This does not mean that our problem with sin is over…we still sin at times.

I John 1:8, 10

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”

Satan does his best to cause us to sin.

I Peter 5:8

“ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

If we are to maintain a close walk with God, and ultimately receive the riches of glory He has prepared for us, we must overcome the problem of sin in two ways:

1. By sinning less and less.

2. By knowing what to do when we do sin.

I John 2:1, 2

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. [2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

To overcome sin, we need to understand how it develops. The Bible outlines the development of sin in James 1:12-15:

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. [13] When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

[14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

I. HOW SIN DEVELOPS

A. The first stage is temptation…

In James 1:14 we see that “temptation” includes two things:

1. DESIRE (some translations say “lust.” suggesting a strong desire for something.)

2. ENTICEMENT (an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire.)

Putting it in the form of a simple equation: TEMPTATION =

DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY.

PLEASE NOTE: At this stage in the development of sin, actual sin has not yet been committed.

- It is not a sin to be “tempted.”

- For Jesus Himself was “tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

B. The second stage is “sin” itself…

1.“Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin…” (James 1:15)

2. It becomes sin when we ACT and YIELD to the temptation.

3. Thus sin involves the added step of some sort of action on our part.

4. Again, in the form of a simple equation:

SIN = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION

C. The third stage involves the consequence of unrepented and unforgiven sin: Death

1. “And sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:15)

2. The “death” spoken here refers to spiritual separation from God.

3. Putting all this into a final equation:

DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION +

NO FORGIVESS = SPIRITUAL DEATH

How can we be sure to overcome sin? BY STOPPING ITS DEVELOPMENT AT ANY ONE OF THE FOUR POINTS LEADING SPIRITUAL DEATH!

- God’s grace and help are abundant!

II. HOW TO OVERCOME SIN

A. Change our “desires”…

1. Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best place for us to begin.

2. It is a part of Christian growth to change our desires.

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Galatians 5:24

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

3. How do we change our desires?

The WORD OF GOD has always been instrumental in helping people overcome sin.

Psalm 119:11

“I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.”

As we read of God’s love, longsuffering and mercy, we desire to serve Him.

Psalm 116:12

“How can I repay the LORD

for all his goodness to me?”

The more we study God’s Word, the less likely we will have the DESIRE to sin, thereby beginning to overcome sin by “nipping it in the bud!”

Changing our desires takes time—while engaged in the process of changing our desires, what else can we do?

B. Limit our “opportunities”…

1. Remember, we are tempted only when there is BOTH desire and opportunity.

2. While we work on changing our desires, we should limit the opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires.

3. This can be done by ASKING FOR GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL HELP, as Jesus taught-- “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)

Note the example of David:

Psalm 101:3, 4, 6, 7

“I will set before my eyes

no vile thing.

The deeds of faithless men I hate;

they will not cling to me.

[4] Men of perverse heart shall be far from me.

I will have nothing to do with evil.”

“[6] My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,

that they may dwell with me;

he whose walk is blameless

will minister to me.

[7] No one who practices deceit

will dwell in my house;

no one who speaks falsely

will stand in my presence.”

C. Exercise “self-control”…

1. Remember, it becomes sin when we yield to ACTION in fulfilling our sinful desires.

2. If we can control ourselves so as to not yield, then we can overcome sin!

3. How does the Christian exercise self-control?

- Self-control is but one aspect of the “fruit of the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22, 23)

- When we become Christians, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Acts 2:38; 5:32)

- The Spirit is God’s instrumental agent by which He imparts strength to us.

Ephesians 3:16

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

- Strengthened by the Spirit, we are able to “put to death the deeds of the body.” (Romans 8:12, 13)

- As Paul said: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

The Christian has no excuse for yielding to a temptation.

I Corinthians 10:13

“ No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

But there may be times when we don’t take advantage of the strength God provides through His Spirit, and we sin; what then?

D. Walk in “forgiveness”…

1. Remember that sin is only victorious when it results in punishment.

2. If we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin!

I John 2:1, 2

“ My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. [2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 3:25)

By “walking in the light” (faithfulness), we have continual cleansing by His blood.

I John 1:7

“ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

As faithful children, we are to be always willing to repent of and confess sin to God.

- Acts 8:22--Simon was told to repent.

- I John 1:9--If we confess our sins; He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins….”

These same principles apply to sins of omission—failing to be and do all that we should:

1. Change our desires.

2. Deal with opportunities.

3. Use self control to move us forward.

4. Trust Him, walking in forgiveness.