KEY TO OVERCOME ANY SIN

Jesus Christ left his very throne to die a shameful death on the cross to redeem us from the bondage of sin. ,,,,In that while we are yet sinner, Christ died for us {Rom. 5:8}.  Sin is one factor that have hindered many Christian from enjoying mutual relationship with God here on earth, leading to loss of glory, hinders God’s work and blessing in their life, and ultimately leading to both spiritual death (Rom. 3:23) and eternal condemnation.

 The issue is that many believers is aware of their sin, the consequences of their sin, and are ever willing to be free from it but often lack ability to overcome the sin. The most dangerous of this sin is fornication and adultery. The spirit behind it is so powerful that it binds it victims to herself, it leads the victims to self pity and destruction. It often leads to addiction and become very hard for the victims to break out of the bondage.

I know of a brother who fasted for two weeks just to be able to overcome the sin of fornication only to end up fornicating with a female friend he was narrating his experience to the preceding day. Another brother fornicated same day he was baptized, even with the same cloth he used in baptism. The most pathetic one was another brother who fasted for one month, and the day he ended the fasting his girlfriend came visiting which he ended up fornicating with her. This brother out of bitter heart use knife to cut-off his manhood and died in the process. The question is, can someone overcome such besetting sin? YES IT IS POSSIBLE.

This world is drifting along, completely unaware of God’s great purpose for man, which is to build character in this life. He is preparing a team of those who will qualify to be part of restoring His government to earth at Christ’s Return. Few steps has been identified to help and guide every Christian to resist every temptations and ultimately overcoming sin.

1. Genie Repentance: Repentance is decision to forsake sin and pursue righteousness no matter the cost. Having admitted our sin, we confess it and with humble heart ask for God’s forgiveness (1 John1:8-10, psalm32:5). ,,,without holiness no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14). Forsaking sin is actually a decision we must make and discipline ourselves to abide by it. Be conscious of what you think and reflect, for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” ( Mark 7:20-22).

2. Study the Bible: Like a new born baby desire the sincere milk of the word(1 peter2:2). The psalmist says, thy word have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee (psl.119:11). It is through the word that we are aware of his grace which we obtain through prayer to overcome sin. “,,,my grace is sufficient for you…(2 cor,12:9-12), by grace are we saved from sin through faith.

The scripture,,, is profitable for teaching, for proof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3: 16). It teaches us how to live and what to believe, it reveals to us when we have chosen wrong paths, it helps us get back on the right path, and it helps us to stay on that path. The Word of God is living and powerful, able to penetrate to our hearts to root out and overcome the deepest sins of heart and attitude. Heb. 4: 12.

3. Surrender to the Holy Spirit: The holy spirit teaches us all truth, he instruct us about the consequences of every action we take (john16:13).,,walk by the spirit, and you will not the lust of the flesh(Gal.5:17). To overcome sin you must deliberately focus your mind on the things of the spirit,,,, for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life (Rom.8:6). To walk in the Spirit is to try not to quench the Spirit’s promptings (1 Thessalonians 5:19) rather we seek to be filled and walk under the control of the holy spirit (Ephesians 5:18-21). If sin is what grieves the Spirit and hinders His filling, then obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained.

4. Seek Mentor ship: Everything you want to be or achieve someone has done that already. Look for someone that you will be accountable to, someone you will be honest to about your sin, who will constantly guide you (James 5:16, Jeremiah 6:16-17). Having an accountability partner or mentor can be a huge benefit in overcoming stubborn sins. Having another person who can talk with you, pray with you, encourage you, and even rebuke you is of great value.

5. Resist Every opportunity to sin: Bible define sin as desire plus opportunity plus action (James1: 13-18). Imagine someone who is praying for victory over fornication, yet allow a female friend which he has feelings for to spent the night with him. Whenever you see the opportunity to sin presenting itself resist and you will overcome. If proud is your problem, stop discussing those your achievement with people before you start bragging, see your achievement as nothing. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And James also instructed, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4: 7).

6. Ponder on your Sin: Ask yourself does this sin worth my soul? Between death and this sin which do you want. Meditate on God’s word any time you are tempted because it will surely come. “what can anyone give in exchange of his life” Mark 8: 37. Assure yourself that you will overcome the sin. Set your will to address each sin or weakness successfully. Tell yourself that you are going to defeat it, that you are going to rip it from your character.

7. Be devoted in your Church: When you serve God with your whole mind, soul and strength, he will give you grace to overcome sin. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (Ephesians 6:24),,,,do not forsake the assembly of the brethren (Hebrew 4:12). When you assume great role in your church you will want to live by example, which will prompt you to put in extra effort to overcome the sin.

8 Make cardboard sheet of different inscription that will help you overcome sin, paste them inside your room. The more you see it the more ability you have to overcome sin. Things like,,, “sin is death”,  "sin cannot have dominion over me" write the name of your sin. When Christ sees your effort more abundant grace will be given to you, because you cannot overcome by your own power.

However, remember that sanctification is a continual Process. (1john 1:8-10). If any say he is not a sinner, he is a liar, and there is no truth in him……. If we say we do not sin, we make him a liar, but we should always confess our sin. Remember we have an advocate. ,,,Jesus. So rely on Jesus ability to overcome the sin, have faith in Christ that you will overcome the sin. I pray that the grace to overcome your sin rest upon you right now in Jesus name. Remember to tell someone about Christ every day.