Winning the Sin Battle

Chuckle: "For a saint to desire to sin is as ridiculous as a rodeo where cowboys ride calves to rope horses. Not only is the experience unnatural, it is extremely unproductive!"

Quote: "Sin is like a man's beard. Although we daily destroy its manifestations, it constantly reappears." --Unknown source

"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me" (Psalm 119:133 NIV).

As we think about winning the sin battle, I'm reminded of another passage from the Psalms about the importance of God's Word in this battle. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws" (Psalm 119:105-106 NIV). In our basic passage, the psalmist asked God to guide his footsteps so that his life would not be controlled (ruled) by sin. In the second passage, he acknowledged dependence upon God's Word to light his way so that he could avoid Satan's temptation to sin. In both instances, he knew the importance of keeping God's precepts uppermost in his mind.

"Sin" is not a popular subject with many people today. However, if you are a Christian, you know that we live in a constant struggle with our old sinful nature. Notice that the psalmist did not promise God he would never sin. Rather, he asked for God's help to keep him from being ruled by sin. He knew he could not defeat sin on his own no matter how hard he might try.

Near Watsonville, California, there is a creek that has a strange name: Salsipuedes Creek. Salsi puedes is Spanish for "Get out of it, if you can." The creek is lined with quicksand, and the story is that many years ago, in the early days of California, a Mexican laborer fell into the quicksand. A Spaniard, riding by on a horse, saw him and yelled out to him, "Salsi puedes!" which was not very helpful to the struggling worker. The creek has been so named ever since. That is what the flesh (our own strength) is like. We struggle to correct these tendencies -- to get out of the effects of our own sinful nature -- but we cannot do it. --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Edited by Michael P. Green

Struggle as we may, in our own strength, we can never win the battle against sin. As a Christian, however, "You are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (Romans 8:9a NIV). We must spend time in God's Word and in prayer, and allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to provide us the strength to avoid the habit of sinning. Sinning should become abhorrent to us -- it should be against our new nature in Christ. "No one who lives in him (Christ) keeps on (continues) sinning" (1 John 3:6 NIV). Willfully sinning is unnatural for the Christian and should never become a way of life -- a lifestyle.

When we do sin, we will be miserable and should immediately turn to God and ask His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). If we are walking closely with Jesus, we will not desire to deliberately sin. But sin can creep into our lives and control us if we are not being controlled by the Spirit of God. Please understand that in Christ Jesus, you can win the battle with sin each day and enjoy ultimate victory over your old sinful nature.

Love, Jerry & Dotse