How To Defeat Sin! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In Exodus 16 verses 1-3 we see that not more than two months after coming out of Egypt the children of Israel started murmuring and complaining and wanted to go back. Egypt is a type of sin and the world. How is it that so many of us Christians try not to sin and still fall back into it? This message will give the answers and the solution to avoid and defeat sin. First, we have to see that sin has consequences. It could affect you whole family, your whole surroundings. In Joshua Chapter 7 after Elohim destroyed Jericho as the Israelites went around the city thirteen times (once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day). They shouted on the thirteenth time (thirteen is a blessed number) and the walls fell down flat. Elohim had told them not to touch any of the spoils in Jericho. They tried to go against a little city called Ai and were defeated and ran away (verses 2-5). Yahweh showed them that there was sin in the camp (v.11). Achan (from the tribe of Judah, of all tribes) confessed (v. 21). He said that he coveted what he saw and took it. Eventually, he, his whole family and all that he had was burnt. Do you see that sin has consequences and could affect your whole life and all that you have?
In Romans Chapter 7 we see the power of sin as Paul mentions that the things he wants to do he doesn’t do, but the things that he doesn’t want to do he does. H e said that he had sin that was warring in his members that was trying to take him captive (verses 14-15, 23). He said the only person that could help him was Yahshua. In Chapter 6 there are some points to remember about sin. In Verse 11, the word says that we need to reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to righteousness and in verse 12 we are not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies. Also, we need to not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin but yield our members to Elohim (v.13). The reason for doing this is contained in v. 14 for sin shall not have dominion over us! When we turn this sin problem over to Elohim we can get the victory. In verse 13 of Chapter 8 we see that through the Spirit of Elohim we can mortify the deeds of the flesh. We have a helpmate! In Verse 11 the word says that when the temptation to sin comes, the same Spirit of Elohim that raised Yahshua from the dead will quicken us and make a way of escape (1 Cor. 10 verse 13). He will give us the strength to resist the temptation to sin. The word also says that Elohim’s purpose for us is conform us into the image of Yahshua (verses 28 and 29). In verse 31 we can see that if Elohim be for us who can be against us and in verse 37 the word says that we are more than conquerors through Him! A lot of Christians want to quote and claim these scriptures but they don’t realize that the other scriptures that I mentioned come first i.e. turning the flesh over to the Holy Spirit and being conformed into the image of Yahshua( verse 13, 29). You can’t just claim these scriptures without the foundation of the previous ones. In overcoming sin the word says that praying in tongues (allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us) is also very important as we don’t know what to pray for as we ought ( v. 26). The Holy Spirit knows the next attack of the enemy and can warn us as He prays through us and he gives us the interpretation!
Next, I want to list some steps to defeat sin:
1.) Take sin seriously, not lightly! As I mentioned earlier, when I used Achan as an example, sin can affect your whole existence, all around you. Look how a sin of adultery can cause a divorce and affect a family for generations.
2.) We need to see sin the way that Elohim sees sin. He hates and abhors it. It is a stench in His nostrils. He hates sin so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for the penalty of sin. He gave up so much that we can be delivered from sin and the penalty.
3.) We must understand that sin is your enemy! Sin may feel good while you are doing it but it is trying to destroy you.
4.) Sin can stop the working and blessings of Elohim in your life. You can claim all His blessings that you want but Elohim is not a “sugar daddy.” He will not give us His blessings if our character can’t sustain them. He is trying to build our character by conforming us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8 verse 29).
5.) Sin can hinder the growth of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives-love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Gal. 5 verses 22-23). We have to allow Elohim to take the “weeds” (sins) out of our lives so the fruit can grow. With the growth of the fruit of the Spirit, Elohim can use us to help people in a “deep” way. The deeper we get into Elohim, the greater the growth of His fruit in our lives and the deeper we can be shown the people’s problems. We can then allow the Holy Spirit to uses us in His manifestations or Gifts (1 Cor. 12 verses 7-10) and help people in a deep way.
6.) Recognize our sins and weaknesses and use scriptures to fight off the temptations that may come to hit the areas that we are weak. The word says that we can hide His word in our hearts that we don’t sin against Him (Psalm 119 verses 9-11). For example, if lust is coming against you say “I am a new creature in Yahshua, old things have passed away and all things are become new.” Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the weak areas of your life and start writing down and memorizing scriptures to fight the area of the temptation that is coming your way.
7.) Fight fire with fire! Allow the “fire” of the Holy Spirit to burn the sin out of your life!
I pray that this study will help you into becoming a victor over sin and not a victim.