Victory Over Sin, Part 3

Sin comes from one of two problems. Either you are unsaved and therefore incapable of getting victory over sin or you are saved and don't know the scriptures that you need to believe to strengthen your faith in the battle with a particular sin. If you are unsaved, you are a slave to sin and it will rule over you always. If you are saved and struggling with sin then I have ten solutions for you to get victory over sin in your life.

We have already looked at the first three. First, you must know that temptation is a common problem. Second, the root of all sin is lust. Third, your salvation did not get rid of the problem. Fourth, you must reckon yourself to be dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ. Fifth, you must allow Christ to take control of your mind. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” There must be a determination on your part to serve the Lord. Paul said in Romans 7:25, “I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” The bottom line is that you must let the mind of the Master be the master of your mind.

Sixth, you must believe what the Bible says about forgiveness. Yes, we’re all sinners, but we can all be saved and forgiven by the grace of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says that the “unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Yes, these sins are vile, but no sin is beyond forgiveness. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Believe what the Bible says in regard to God's forgiveness. You see, the Devil tries to guilt you over your sin and attempts to push you away from God. Guilt is from the Devil and is a tool to push us away from God and His people. Conviction is from God and is a tool to pull us to God and His people.

Seventh, the way to get victory over your sin is occupy your mind with pure thoughts. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.”

When I am doing counseling, I encourage those who are struggling with a sin-area in their lives to memorize five verses from the Bible that have to do with their sin and to quote them when they are tempted. I call this, “Quote Five and Stay Alive.” Just think about it; when Jesus was tempted by the Devil in Matthew 4. What did He do each and every time the Devil threw a temptation at Him? He quoted Scripture. He responded with, “It is written…” I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but I’m sure that if it worked for Jesus, it will work for you and me too.

Eighth, (this goes along with number seven) you must know the Scriptures (the Bible). If the Devil throws temptations at you and you don’t know what the Bible says about it; how can you quote it? You can’t quote what you don’t know. You’re a sitting duck my friend. You have nothing to hide behind!