“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me”. –Revelation 3:20
The imagery of a victorious Christian life is a war against sin and a fight of faith. A recent study shows that 2 out of 3 Americans pray for God’s mercy for their sin. Yet, 10% don’t believe that sin exists. The truth is, sin—satan imparted nature is a reality (Romans 3:23).
Have you been struggling with sin, and you want to get out? Have you been hiding so much on the inside that it weighs you so much you can’t take it anymore? Or, like David in his Psalm, you wet your pillows with tears every night? Are you almost giving up, or have you given up already in the fight against sin? Well, you’re not alone in this fight. Several people all over the world are going through similar hardships resulting from sin. In fact, some are having it worse than you may think.
However, you must put up a fight against every impulse of sin. Like Paul, make a decision to discipline your body and bring it into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27). Even though sin is attractive, makes promises and makes you think it has better offers other than satisfaction in Christ. Yet, nobody sins out of duty or as an obligation; man’s willpower drives him to enjoy that sweet spot sins claim to offer. Unknowingly, many are blinded to see the chains and consequences wrapped around sin. For instance, the 10% who don’t believe that sin is a reality have their mind veiled from the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says:
“satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God”.
Graciously, God is loving and patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9b).
As you read, you’ll discover what Christ has done for all humanity, He’s crushed sin once and for all. But you’ll also want to ask, what do I do to enjoy a sinless life?
Let’s delve in.
Cast down evil imagination
Can you imagine a sprinter getting set for a crucial race but thinks it’s best to wear flip-flops instead of trainers? Surely that’s a setup for failure. That’s being determined in the wrong direction. Also, in a successful business partnership, partners don’t just assume that things are going great with the business; they sit it out and work it out! You could say that they’re determined and intentional about the business, making the business thrive.
God is like a diligent businessman who never jokes around with His business. God is intentional about us; He’s determined against anyone living or dying in sin, losing their soul.
When it comes to overcoming temptations, being determined to overcome sin speaks of intentionality, which can work wonders in your life. You can’t afford to face off with temptations casually. It shouldn’t be you if anyone’s wearing flip-flops to a race. You must have this mind of intentionality when walking in the Spirit to place God first in everything you do. So it goes with you casting down evil imaginations because that’s the origin of every temptation.
Be resolute and Remain so
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
No one tries to use a dry cloth to cover a campfire so no one would see it; the results will be fatal; the cloth will definitely get burnt, and the fire will rage on. You already know that every sin is like a ticking time bomb. This means you also know that no one would push the countdown button and keep it in a bag.
Being resolute against sin means you can not afford to hide any sin. No one’s going to know if you need help or not. Not hiding your sin invariably means exposing them. Paul, in Romans 10:9-10, emphasizes that confessing your sin is very important.
Even after this, you’ll realize that confessing sins is just a part of the initial process of overcoming them. The question you’d want to ask is, “how can I overcome subsequent temptations?” It’s time to let God diffuse the bomb for you. Read on.
Giddy Up, Soldier. It’s a War!
Apostle Paul explained this in his writing: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. 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.” – 2 Corinthians 10: 4-6
Apostle Paul reveals something interesting in the scripture above: it’s a war! And like some wars, there’s an overthrow of government through the ability of trained soldiers. That’s what you need to do with the evil thoughts in your heart; overthrow them! But it takes a more powerful government to overthrow another, right?
That’s where walking in the Spirit comes in. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16 (NKJV). If you’re wondering how this can be done, the Spirit of God helps you walk in Him by the Word of God. Yes! That’s the greatest weapon Apostle Paul wrote about earlier that is needed to overthrow the government of darkness in your mind. It is with the Word of God and prayer that the Spirit of God helps you to be determined against sin. So, we must take up the whole armor; it prepares us for the battle ahead and helps us to overcome sin.
Submit and Surrender
The transformation begins when you partner with the Spirit to defeat sin. Have you ever wondered why the Bible talks so much about transformation? A natural man’s heart is deceitful above all things; even God unapologetically says the same through the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 17:9.
If transformation must be evident in you, you will do more than wish it or say it. You’re going to have to act it! It takes being determined against sin. How can you be determined? How do you experience this transformation? How can you live differently from the world?
The truth is, nothing is impossible for God. Remember when Jesus turned water into wine. Yet, we must also intend to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. Philippians 2:12
It takes a little more effort to experience and walk in this transformation, to choose the ways of God over your feelings and desires, and take that one step to say No to those negative thoughts. Jesus wants to transform you; though your sins are scarlet or read as crimson, He will make them white as snow. Yet, you must believe, gradually letting go of every sin that rises by submitting and surrendering to Jesus.
There is a Price to Pay
Being determined against sin comes with its price. Joseph was a good example of someone who had his fair share of suffering when he was determined against sin. A young man in a strange land with no family or anyone to love and hold him like his father or mother would, he was in his most vulnerable state.
Joseph’s determination to live against sin came when he vehemently refused to lie in bed with Potiphar’s wife. He suffered for it, being sent to prison. He was determined to pay anything to stand for what is right, but you know how the story ends. Just read up Genesis 37-47.
You’ll understand that the devil won’t rest after you’ve said “no” to him the first time. Jesus knows best, as revealed in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. Therefore, it becomes challenging because your level changes with each temptation you overcome.
The Best Deal
The ABC of living a transformed life is receiving Jesus as your Savior and accepting His love and deliverance for you. Then, deciding and determining to stay on the path of true righteousness will transform the sinful old man in you, manifesting you as a new creature in Christ.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
The world has its patterns, ways, and standards, but when you become a believer, you will be transformed and renewed, no longer attached to the world’s standards, submitting to the schemes of evil but living according to the Word of God. It’s a much better deal. The best, in fact!
Just like the scriptures says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Partnering with Jesus means you being obedient to His leading and aligning with His will for your life. He knows how to get you out of the pit of sin. He knows the best footwear for the race. He knows how to diffuse the time bomb.
No matter how deep your ship may have sunk, He can still captain it to safety. No man can fall lower than the hands of God can reach. His blood shed on the cross of cavalry is available to transform you or anyone, set you free from sin, and give you a new life. Are you ready to experience this transformation in Christ? Will you be determined against sin?
All you need do is to believe in His transformation power. By submitting your sins, even the secret sins, to God. It’s the best deal you could ever get!
Don’t shut the door of your heart
Jesus wants to save and set you free, but the decision still remains yours to open up, accommodate and walk with Him.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me”. –Revelation 3:20
What will you choose today? Life or death? Goodness or disaster? I want to encourage you to choose life, choose goodness and choose Jesus. Decide to let Jesus help you, and you will be able to live above sin.