Do You Struggle?

How many would say, “I struggle with a certain sin, and I can’t seem to shake it?” It seems to sneer at you, “You’ll never get rid of me.” Oh sure, there are moments of victory, and a clear conscience. Then out of nowhere, it sticks its foot out, you trip and fall again. The guilt, shame and condemnation are unbearable. So, you find yourself pleading to God for forgiveness and mercy. It is heartfelt; yet, it feels phony, because it’s a repeat offense. It’s like the proverbial hamster wheel from which you will never escape.
   Here are some things to consider. First, anytime you elevate a particular sin above all others, you give it power. Furthermore, you discount the victory you already have in Jesus Christ. In fact, it is important to approach it from the standpoint of already having the victory, versus trying to gain it.

Stop Leaning on Your Own Understanding

Proverbs5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Sometimes, the Bible contradicts what we really believe to be true, even though we may say we believe what it says. As long as we lean on our own understanding, the victory will always seem to be just out of our grasp. It is important to decide to take God at His Word, and trust Him. If what He says contradicts what we believe, perhaps it would be beneficial to believe Him, and discard our belief.
   Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh (read entire chapter)?
   We cannot start by faith in Jesus, then finish with our efforts. That is how a person falls from grace. We receive forgiveness; we do not earn it; much less, bargain for it. “If you forgive me, I won’t do it again.” When you focus on not doing something, you set yourself up for failure. How so? You become sin-conscious, and in essence, place yourself under the law. A person tends to go where he is looking. Moreover, you depart from grace when you rely on your own effort. We are incapable of following the Law. Leaning on the arm of the flesh never works.
   Galatians 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
   The books of Romans, and Galatians are excellent places to study when it comes to understanding what it means to have the victory already.

What Does the Bible Say?

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This verse amongst several others is important to take to heart. It contradicts what many believe. In some circles, people have dialogues about having to struggle against sin, even though Jesus removed sin from us by His sacrifice on the Cross. His death became our death when we receive Him as Lord and Savior. Likewise, His resurrection is ours.
 Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
   Romans 6:5-6 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin (read entire chapter).
   Sin does not, and will not have dominion over you. That’s His Word! You are free from sin, because you have been crucified with Him. His grace enabled you to say no to it, and yes to righteousness. By focusing on righteousness, sin is not a consideration. It’s no longer part of you. Walking with Jesus is far easier than trying to avoid sin. It’s a matter of submission to Him. That’s where your victory rests.
   Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
   Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
   It is not about us; it is about Him. Submission to Him removes our need to work for it. Our position in Him places us in righteousness, and true holiness. There are too numerous passages of Scripture to site here. That being said, here are a few more. Again, what does God say?
   Galatians 5:21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
   Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

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