I've struggled with a sin for years. I've tried many things and made progress, but never gained the victory. Some people would not understand why a person can't simply stop a sin, but there is no doubt I cannot do so of my own strength.
I've heard Steve mention the idea of "watching" and praying meaning staying up all night wrestling with God to attempt to gain the blessing (the victory). When I tried to study "watching", I definitely didn't get any clear indication of this.
I haven't done this (and I wouldn't know what to say all night). Is this something I should try? Or is this just wishful thinking?
Can't get victory over sin
Can't get victory over sin
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Hi Brad,
First, though it is a great frustration to have a besetting sin that seems never to go away, even after years of struggle, I would suggest that you rejoice that it is only one sin, rather than a life of sin. This is not meant to minimize the exceeding sinfulness of even one sin, but in the ongoing warfare of the Christian life, it suggests that much victory has been achieved already, giving occasion for encouragement that this one, too, will fall under your continuing resistance.
Though I don't know you personally, I imagine that you have stopped committing a multitude of sins since your conversion, but that there remains one stubborn enemy that remains unconquered. As frustrating as this is, it is a great advance over the amount of sin that dominated you in your pre-Christian life. Also, it is not a very unusual circumstance, as most Christians still have some area of their lives in which they are desiring greater victory.
God told the Israelites that He would not drive all of their enemies out of the land at once (Exodus 23:29). Part of the reason was so that Israel would not lose its ability to conduct warfare (Judges 3:2). While there is a school of thought that says you can have complete sinlessness through a momentary crisis of entire sanctification, my understanding of scripture would suggest that our battle against spiritual enemies within and without is a life-long enterprise. Keep it up.
As for the matter of "watching," all I have ever said is that this term refers to missing sleep (not necessarily for a whole night, since Jesus asked His disciples to "watch" with Him for one hour--Matt.26:40), just as fasting refers to missing meals, and that the Bible indicates that both of these practices may be joined with prayer to good effect (Mark 9:29; 14:38/ Luke 21:36/ Eph.6:18).
I do not teach (and have never believed) that there is a single spiritual discipline (like watching or fasting) which, in itself, guarantees immediate or lasting victory over sin or the devil. Such victory comes as a result of walking in the Spirit (Gal.5:16), which is not a single discipline, but the total package of maintaining a fellowship with God through the Spirit--trusting God, meditating on His word, sensing the Spirit's direction, obeying Him, keeping a clear conscience, conducting spiritual warfare, etc.
Keeping the balance of the Christian walk is a little like learning to walk on a tightrope. It is a skill that requires time, commitment and concentration of attention and energies. It may require years to perfect the skill. However, there is a safety net. So long as we are seeking to improve and to stay on the wire, the grace of God receives us when we fall, and assists us back to the platform.
I, and most of us here (if not all), know well enough the frustration you are feeling. The main advice I can give you is to keep improving your walk through a simple commitment to keep on moving forward. Plant the right seeds and keep watering them. Only God can give the increase, so patiently wait for Him. I expect He will surprise you and you will someday wake-up to find that, by the grace of God, your desire for that sin has either disappeared or greatly diminished. When that happens, do not become careless about it, because you will be tested throughout your life.
First, though it is a great frustration to have a besetting sin that seems never to go away, even after years of struggle, I would suggest that you rejoice that it is only one sin, rather than a life of sin. This is not meant to minimize the exceeding sinfulness of even one sin, but in the ongoing warfare of the Christian life, it suggests that much victory has been achieved already, giving occasion for encouragement that this one, too, will fall under your continuing resistance.
Though I don't know you personally, I imagine that you have stopped committing a multitude of sins since your conversion, but that there remains one stubborn enemy that remains unconquered. As frustrating as this is, it is a great advance over the amount of sin that dominated you in your pre-Christian life. Also, it is not a very unusual circumstance, as most Christians still have some area of their lives in which they are desiring greater victory.
God told the Israelites that He would not drive all of their enemies out of the land at once (Exodus 23:29). Part of the reason was so that Israel would not lose its ability to conduct warfare (Judges 3:2). While there is a school of thought that says you can have complete sinlessness through a momentary crisis of entire sanctification, my understanding of scripture would suggest that our battle against spiritual enemies within and without is a life-long enterprise. Keep it up.
As for the matter of "watching," all I have ever said is that this term refers to missing sleep (not necessarily for a whole night, since Jesus asked His disciples to "watch" with Him for one hour--Matt.26:40), just as fasting refers to missing meals, and that the Bible indicates that both of these practices may be joined with prayer to good effect (Mark 9:29; 14:38/ Luke 21:36/ Eph.6:18).
I do not teach (and have never believed) that there is a single spiritual discipline (like watching or fasting) which, in itself, guarantees immediate or lasting victory over sin or the devil. Such victory comes as a result of walking in the Spirit (Gal.5:16), which is not a single discipline, but the total package of maintaining a fellowship with God through the Spirit--trusting God, meditating on His word, sensing the Spirit's direction, obeying Him, keeping a clear conscience, conducting spiritual warfare, etc.
Keeping the balance of the Christian walk is a little like learning to walk on a tightrope. It is a skill that requires time, commitment and concentration of attention and energies. It may require years to perfect the skill. However, there is a safety net. So long as we are seeking to improve and to stay on the wire, the grace of God receives us when we fall, and assists us back to the platform.
I, and most of us here (if not all), know well enough the frustration you are feeling. The main advice I can give you is to keep improving your walk through a simple commitment to keep on moving forward. Plant the right seeds and keep watering them. Only God can give the increase, so patiently wait for Him. I expect He will surprise you and you will someday wake-up to find that, by the grace of God, your desire for that sin has either disappeared or greatly diminished. When that happens, do not become careless about it, because you will be tested throughout your life.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve
-
_SoaringEagle
- Posts: 285
- Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2005 10:40 pm
- Location: Louisville, KY
Remember, Christ is in you. He overcame every temptation and defeated sin and death. Now, through the new birth and your entrance into royal family and kingdom of God, you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ. Should victory over sin and darkness be part of this spiritual blessing? I think so. It is yours right now in Christ. Yes, it is your present possesion. So grab hold of it by faith and claim it as yours, and utilize it bring victory over your present struggle. Like brother Steve said, God told the Israelites that He would not drive all of their enemies out of the land at once (Exodus 23:29). Yet one by one, the ongoing ministry of Christ as resurrected Lord is continuing through us, and one by one as we focus on Him with our eyes and mind, He will point out the areas of our soul that needs deliverance, and His Kingdom and Lordship will be established in that area of our life. All we are to do is walk in the Spirit by faith, hear what He is currently speaking to us, obey that, and focus on His Word which is a light unto our path, and a lamp unto our feet. There is an ongoing struggle between the Spirit and the Flesh, but Jesus has already conquered the flesh, world, and devil. Now as He continues to live in us, He shall continue to overcome if we do not "quench His Spirit".
Be Blessed,
SoaringEagle
Be Blessed,
SoaringEagle
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Brad, I'll tell you what has helped me. When you are in bondage to a certain sin, there is a pattern that leads you down the wrong road. Breaking the pattern is what we need to focus on. The cycle is temptation, followed by the thought of giving in to it, then resisting a little bit, then finally giving in to it and feeling deep remorse. We then repent, resolve to never do it again, and the cycle starts all over. The mental trick that Satan uses most often is to fool us into thinking that "this is the last time." It's basically procrastination and telling ourselves that we'll kick this sin "tomorrow." The problem is, tomorrow never comes. Every day it's the same pattern.
So my advice would be to recognize that this temptation is a trap that the enemy of your Lord has laid for you and if you give in to it, it will be more difficult to overcome tomorrow. Don't be fooled into thinking that it will be easier to resist tomorrow. It won't. So when you resist a strong temptation, your spirit is actually strengthened... even if this pattern of resisting temptation lasts for weeks or months. Eventually, the normal pattern or cycle is for you to be tempted, after which you recognize the trap and resist, only to be tempted more, and then finally you overcome it and go on about your business. It becomes much easier to resist temptation when you have a habit of not giving in to it. It will feel like it's impossible at first, but stick to this pattern of resisting and not falling into those "innocent" traps. If a person is struggling with alcohol, Satan will tell that person that "one drink won't kill you." If your sin is overeating, the lie is "you can always start a diet tomorrow. If you are hooked on pornography it becomes "you can always repent later." These are traps and you need to step over them immediately. Even indulging "a little bit" will throw you into a spiral of sin. If you commit even a finger, Satan will grab you by the arm and suck you in. And as with anything else, continue asking your Father in prayer to help you. This advice I'm giving you has been the only thing that has worked for me.
So my advice would be to recognize that this temptation is a trap that the enemy of your Lord has laid for you and if you give in to it, it will be more difficult to overcome tomorrow. Don't be fooled into thinking that it will be easier to resist tomorrow. It won't. So when you resist a strong temptation, your spirit is actually strengthened... even if this pattern of resisting temptation lasts for weeks or months. Eventually, the normal pattern or cycle is for you to be tempted, after which you recognize the trap and resist, only to be tempted more, and then finally you overcome it and go on about your business. It becomes much easier to resist temptation when you have a habit of not giving in to it. It will feel like it's impossible at first, but stick to this pattern of resisting and not falling into those "innocent" traps. If a person is struggling with alcohol, Satan will tell that person that "one drink won't kill you." If your sin is overeating, the lie is "you can always start a diet tomorrow. If you are hooked on pornography it becomes "you can always repent later." These are traps and you need to step over them immediately. Even indulging "a little bit" will throw you into a spiral of sin. If you commit even a finger, Satan will grab you by the arm and suck you in. And as with anything else, continue asking your Father in prayer to help you. This advice I'm giving you has been the only thing that has worked for me.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason: