How to Overcome Sin? Sinning Less in a Sin-Filled World – Part II

The question was asked as to how do we can limit the sin in our life or how do we avoid doing wrong especially when it’s in our DNA and it’s so easy?   

First and foremost; it has to be our decision.  We have to make a conscious decision to resist sin and temptation.  Resist the devil and he will flee from us, but if we entertain the devil; he will run to us and cause us to fall into that very thing we are trying to avoid.   

Whenever we entertain Satan by flirting with that guy or girl; gossiping with that friend or co-worker; speaking or acting seductively with the opposite sex etc; we automatically give the enemy a VIP pass to our lives.   

This is not to say that we will never make a mistake but we can’t use making a mistake to justify our actions especially when we know better.  Sin should not be practiced and certainly not habitual.  We shouldn’t intentionally decide to sin because that is how you feel.  I have often heard of saved couples moving in together to save money.   

Now, this is what I would call practicing sin or habitually sinning.  If you are a Christian; your desire should be to live according to the Word and the word distinctly prohibits this practice.  That is not to target just those persons but the same goes for those gossiping; indulging in alcohol; practicing lying, cheating, jealously, pride, wanting what someone else has etc.  The list goes on and on....

We have to remove every thought and desire that contradicts the Word so that our feelings/emotions will not overtake us.   Our feelings should be subject to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and we have to constantly stay in the Word (mediation and in prayer)  so that it can take root in our spirit and when our feelings/emotions rise up; we can put them in its place with through the Word of God.  

Our feelings/emotions should never be in control of our decisions.  With that being said; I am going to list three ways we can limit or avoid sin or wrong doing:

#1 Change Our Mindset (Thought Pattern or Process).  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5) – Adopt the mentality of Christ through the Word.   When we were a child (unsaved), we thought as a child; but now that we are gown (saved); we have to put away childish things/behavior (1 Corinthians 13:11) -Our thought pattern is simply no longer the same.  We have to weigh options and consider the outcome from a biblical perspective vice a society perspective.  What was ok then is no longer ok now. We are no longer of the world so we can’t think like the world (John 17:11). Our minds have been transformed (Romans 12:2).  We will always be confronted with evil (opportunity to do wrong/displease God),but we have to make up in our minds to do it God’s way.

#2 Change Our Behavior (Doing things and going places not pleasing to God):  Old things are passed away; all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17) No longer comfortable doing, saying and behaving in the same way.    

Listening to music full of profanity or sexual connotation should not be as easy as it was before.  Using profanity shouldn’t be the norm anymore.  Having sex outside of marriage should bring about conviction (guilt).  Be mindful of the places we go and the things we entertain.  Things that are clearly not in line with the Word of God should not be amusing to us.  We have to continuously rethink our actions and behavior concerning things in our life.  We shouldn’t be complacent in anything outside of the order of God.  Personal conviction at the least should be in our hearts when our lives are contradictory to God’s Word.

#3 Change Our Company (People we hang around or consider our friend) – Be not unequally joined with unbelievers (those that are habitually living a life of sin).  How can light live with darkness?  What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).  The answer to all of these questions is it’s impossible to have well maintained relationship with someone whose morals, values and beliefs are completely separate from yours.  Oil and water do not mix.  That does not only pertain to dating/courting and marriage but relationships and friendships with others.  

Your friends, colleagues, partners etc have to be on the same page as you or you will often run into unhealthy conflict.  That is not to say that you can’t talk to people that are not saved or living a godly life but when it is common practice for you to hang around these people knowing that their lives are completely different from yours than a self-evaluation/check at some point must take place.  

 We all should experience a personal conviction anytime we are outside of the will of God.  Just because Shawn and Lisa were your friends from grade school or close cousin; if their lives are going in a completely different directions than yours; perhaps, you need to refocus or rethink the closeness of the relationship.   

You shouldn’t throw them away or not ever speak with them but ultimately the relationships established should be healthy, fulfilling and godly and not formed or maintained by familiarity or kinship.  Something to definitely think about!!

Until til next time; Be Blessed!!!!

A4J Diva,
Treal Ravenel,
Co-Founder of Detour Movement Inc.