"OVERCOMING SIN"

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

I. How Sin Develops

A. THE FIRST STAGE IS "TEMPTATION"...

 In Jam 1:14, we see that "temptation" includes two things:

a. DESIRE (some translations say "lust", suggesting a strong desire for something)

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

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" - He 4:15; 2:18

THE SECOND STAGE IS "SIN" ITSELF...

"When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin" - Ja 1:15

It becomes sin when we ACT and YIELD to the temptation thus sin involves the added step of some sort of action on our part

C. THE THIRD STAGE INVOLVES THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNREPENTED AND UNFORGIVEN SIN: "DEATH"

"And sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death"- Jam 1:15

The "death" spoken here refers to spiritual separation from God

a. This separation occurs first in this life - cf. Is 59:2

b. If we die physically in this state, then we will experience the "second death", which involves eternal punishment! - Rev 21:8

D. OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIN...

Sin will have overcome us if we receive the "final punishment" of Re 21:8

But we will have overcome sin if we can avoid this punishment and experience the glories God has prepared for His children!

How can we be sure to overcome sin?

BY STOPPING ITS DEVELOPMENT AT ANY ONE OF THE FOUR POINTS LEADING TO THE FINAL PUNISHMENT

II. How To Overcome Sin

A. CHANGE OUR "DESIRES"...

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

Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change our desires - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:24

How do we change our desires?

a. Notice that the WORD OF GOD has always been instrumental in helping people overcome sin - Ps 119:11; Mt 4:3-10

b. To see how the Word of God can change our desires...

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

Ps 116:12-14

2) As we read of sin and its damnable consequences, we come to hate it! Ps 119:104

So 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"!

[But changing our desires takes time; while engaged in the process of changing our desires, what else can we do?]

B. LIMIT OUR "OPPORTUNITIES"...

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

So while we work on changing our desires, we should limit the opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires

This can be done by ASKING FOR GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL HELP, as Jesus taught - Mt 6:13; 26:41

We can cooperate with God by:

a. Purposely avoiding situations that might excite wrongful desires

1) Following the example of David - Ps 101:3-4

2) And the example of Job - Job 31:1

b. Avoiding those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin with them

1) Again, David sets a good example - Ps 101:6-7

2) Paul also adds his warning - 1 Co 15:33

[But we will unlikely remove EVERY desire and opportunity to sin in this life, what then?]

C. EXERCISE "SELF-CONTROL"...

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

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

How does the Christian exercise self-control?

a. Self-control is but one aspect of the "fruit of the Spirit" - Ga 5:22-23

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

c. The Spirit is God's instrumental agent by which He imparts strength to us - Ep 3:16

d. Strengthened by the Spirit, we are able to "put to death the deeds of the body" - Ro 8:12-13

e. As Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Ph 4:13

It is through faith in God's Word that the Christian believes that he has this divine help - Ep 3:20

a. It is certainly proper to pray for it, as Paul did in behalf of the Ephesians - Ep 3:16

b. But equally important, to act upon it, trusting that you are not alone as you try to do God's will - Ph 2:12-13

c. As an exercise commercial once said: JUST DO IT!

The Christian, then, has no excuse for yielding to a temptation - 1 Co 10:13

[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. OBTAIN "FORGIVENESS"...

Remember that sin is victorious when it results in punishment

But if we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin! - 1 Jn 2:1-2

Yes, Christ is truly the "propitiation" for our sins!

a. By His blood, we were forgiven of past sins when united with Him in BAPTISM - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Re 1:5

b. By His blood, we can be forgiven of present sins when we REPENT, PRAY, and CONFESS our sins to God - Ac 8:22; 1 Jn 1:9

At any time the Christian can overcome sins that were committed, by repenting and confessing them to God!

D. SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT OVERCOMING SIN...

If you noticed carefully, you should have seen that at each of the four points in the development of sin, God is able and willing to help us overcome sin!

a. God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to renew our minds

b. God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE as we pray for such

c. God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man

d. God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through the BLOOD OF HIS SON as we repent and pray -- Isn't the grace of God wonderful? - 2 Th 3:3; 1 Co 10:13

In learning the four points at which we may overcome sin, don't think that we can simply wait until we reach the fourth point to act...

a. That is, to just go ahead and sin, then ask God for forgiveness

b. There are several reasons why we should not do this:

1) In baptism, we were freed from the power of sin, and should now present ourselves to God as servants of righteousness - Ro 6:1-23

2) Though we can receive forgiveness for sin, we might still suffer the "temporal" consequences of sins - Ga 6:7-9

3) If we allow sin to deceive us so as to become "hardened",we may get to the point of sinning "willfully" and lose our salvation! - He 3:12-14; 10:26-31

c. So don't take the grace of God lightly and attempt to abuse it!

CONCLUSION

How much better it would be to praise God for His grace, and use it to overcome sin in our lives!

May the promise found in Ja 1:12 help motivate us to do so: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

SOME QUESTIONS TO STIMULATE YOUR THINKING...

Are you engaged in a daily Bible study program which will help you develop the proper kind of desires?

Do you "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation"?

Do you avoid circumstances and companions that you know would entice you to sin?

Do you pray that God will strengthen you "by His Spirit in the inner man"?

Do you ask God daily to forgive your sins, and to help you overcome sin in your life?

Special Thanks to: Mark A. Copeland