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Its About Time to Kill a Persistent Sin                                 M63b06r
Galatians 5:19-21,24; Ephesians 6:10-18

Did you hear about the teenage girl earlier this year who had hiccups that just hung on and nothing they did helped it? Have you ever had something “bug” you?  Maybe you had a hacking cough you just couldn’t get rid of.  You could hardly speak without coughing. You took cough drops, gargled and tried other “cures” but nothing seemed to help and you were embarrassed to the point you would leave the room when it started.  It was like a cloud hanging over your head.

 

Our focus today is on how to deal with a persistent sin that just seems to dog us and we can’t seem to shake it. At times we all make wrong choices out of harmony with God and His purposes.  Isn’t it about time to kill that persistent sin and get victory?

A young boy was explaining basic Christian Theology to his younger sister: “You see, it was Jesus’ job to die for our sins - and it’s our job to sin.” – Most of us do a good job in this area.

I.         What is the picture?

A.      None of us are perfect.

1.          It may not be popular to state but there is something around called sin. The enemy wants this truth to be laughed at or ignored. It’s part of his strategy.

2.          Sin is “missing the mark.”  It is failing to be all we could be and should be.

3.          Sin originated in the direct, deceptive activity of Satan himself against God’s angels, humanity, and especially God’s children. 

4.          Even today we are bombarded by doubts, temptations, evil thoughts, a desire for independence, pride, wrong desires, materialism and fears.

B.      Jesus came to rescue the imperfect.

1.          He was without sin and in God’s plan he took the punishment reserved for us.

2.          If you accept God’s offer to let Jesus save you, you will be a new person and have a new start.

C.     For Christ-followers, the rules have changed.

For 12 years our family lived in Canada. They play American style football up there, but when we lived there the rules were quite different. The ball was the same and the players wore pads and helmets like here but there the similarities ended. The playing field was much larger. It had two 50 yard lines instead of one and end zones 20 yards deep rather than 10 yards. There were 12 men on a team, instead of 11 and you had 3 downs instead of 4 to gain 10 yards. There was no such thing as backfield in motion and there was no blocking on punts. If you could kick the ball into or beyond the end zone and it was not run out, your team got a point. I was a different ball game.

1.          Many a believer fails to realize that in Christ it is a new ball game. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 NASV

2.          We are no longer under the rules of law, we are under grace.  For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under Grace. Romans 6:14 NASV

3.          If we belong to Christ we must realize we have been set free from the cycle of sin and death.  Romans 6:22,23

II.       Why do we still struggle with temptation?

A.      We still live in a fallen world.

1.          Believers need to recognize the sin war we are engaged in has nothing to do with salvation, only with sanctification: the process by which we learn to live as God’s children in this sinful world.

2.          There is still an enemy, the Bible says he prowls about like a lion to devour us.

3.           One of his tools is accusation.  He is called Apollyon, or “The accuser of the brethren”. When we yield to a temptation, he points his finger and tells our heart, “you must not be a Christian.”

4.           We may confess our failure to the Lord but later we yield again and that sin and the ensuing guilt persists to the point we feel defeated. 

5.           We know what the Bible says: You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Philippians 2:18b NLT – But we aren’t living that way!

6.          After all if God is our Father, Jesus is our Savior and the Holy Spirit lives within us, why can’t we overcome sin?  We need to realize we are at war.

B.      There are different battles to fight.

A patient recovering in hospital from a heart attack, met a zealous evangelist. After listening politely for a half-hour on how thankful he should be to have been spared and how he should repent at once, he was asked if all his sins had flashed before his eyes during the heart attack. The patient said, “Don’t be ridiculous. The attack lasted only 6 hours.”

1.          Sin is multidimensional.  Paul ties it together, …walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air…in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and mind… Ephesians 2:2-3 NASV.  

·           Sin is supernatural, from above.

·           Sin is personal, from within “the flesh and mind”.

·           Sin is social, from without, “the world.”

2.          “The flesh” is our tendency to focus on self, wanting to be our own god. It is when we operate on our own apart from God’s control.

3.           Paul says the results of the flesh at work are so obvious we don’t need a law to tell us they are wrong. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident… Galatians 5:19 NASV

III.    What are the enemy’s tools?  Galatians 5:19-21

A.      Moral or sexual failure. Vs 19

1.          Sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure. (NLT)

2.          The sins committed with the mind or imagination as well as the body are included.

3.          There is the absence of restraint and self-focused unconcern for others.

B.      Religious sins. Vs 20a

1.          idolatry, participation in demonic activities. (NLT)

2.          The worship of anything which takes God’s rightful place.

C.     Disorders in personal relationships. Vs 20b-21

1.           So-called ”Christian” sins: hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy,  NLT

D.     Sins of lack of self control.

1.          drunkenness, wild parties. (NLT) i.e. partying without restraint.

2.          A group out of control is usually influenced by stimulants or demonic forces.

3.           Note also AND THINGS LIKE THESE. (NASV) – Lists in other scripture are different.

IV.   how can we kill a Persistent sin?

A.      Understand how sin develops.

1.          The continuum of sin:  

·           A thought enters our mind.

·           We make a choice.

·           A habit is developed.

·           We lose control.

·           We become a slave to sin.

2.          The danger vs 21: Habitual sinful behavior can destroy our relationship with God, with others and has the potential to divert us to the point we loose our hope.

B.      Rely on your resources.

1.          As Galatians 5:19 says, sin occurs when we follow the desires of our sinful nature. So the key to overcoming sin involves getting focused, realizing reality and utilizing our resources in Christ.  

2.           Realize who you are. If you are a Christian you are better able to deal with sin because you are in Christ. Our old self, that was subject to SIN, is dead and we have a new life.

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives…Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer the slaves to sin. Romans 6:4,6 NLT

3.          At the conclusion of Ephesians Paul gives a challenge to believers to engage in spiritual warfare, but to do so from a position of victory

4.          Realize who you are. In Ephesians 1 Paul lists some advantages of being in Christ.

5.          Recognize your resources. Ephesians 6:14,15

·            First of all we have been clothed in armor as a result of being in Christ.  Note the word, “having,” this has already occurred in the past.

·           We start out girded with truth, vs 14a. One thing Satan can't handle is truth.

·            We stand protected in the righteousness of Christ, vs 14b  We are in a right standing with God.  there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NLT

·           Realize God isn’t angry with you, He loves you!

6.          Respond with resolve, Ephesians 6:16-18. Here you “take up” the tools of battle.

·           Clarify what you believe. – Use the shield of faith, vs 16.  Faith is acting out the implications of belief, i.e. How shall I live because I believe?

·           Clear your thinking. – Put on the helmet of salvation, vs 17a This protects the mind. When God controls our thinking, we won’t be led astray.

·           Apply the truth. Take up the sword of the Spirit, vs 17b The key is having scripture written on our heart, make it a part of you.

·           Keep in contact with head quarters, vs 18.  Pray and persevere.

7.          So when in the battle, understand Who God is, who you are in Christ and challenge every off-center thought with the truth.

The movie “Miracle” is about the U.S. hockey victory against the Russians in the Winter Olympics of ’80. The Russians had won 4 consecutive Olympic Gold Medals in hockey and seemed unbeatable.  Coach Brooks is going over the Russian’s winning strategy in hopes of showing his team how to win.  (DVD Ch 8  0:48:19-50:57) 

 

Many Christians wallow in sin because they assume sin will win.  Sin relies on an intimidation factor to gain victory.  But Jesus didn’t die to equip a team of losers, He came to make us victorious. A winning strategy means we need to change our game plan and take the battle to the enemy.  We need to be trained in righteousness and practice it daily. We need to put on the armor of God.  The stakes are higher than any medal and the results are more enduring than any record.

C.     Break the cycle.

We are human but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, no mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. II Corinthians 10:3,4 NLT

1.          The battleground is in the mind, the imagination, the fantasy realm.

2.          The battle must be won at the beginning when wrong thoughts first reach our mind.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASV

3.          Decide you want to change. Accept your responsibility. Admit your sin.

4.          Confess your sin: first to the Lord.  Accept His forgiveness.

5.          Find an accountability partner (Jas 5:16), who will pray with you. You can go to them when temptations attempt to take control.

6.          Clear your conscience with those you have hurt.

7.          Guard what you see: movies, TV, videos. Refuse to buy, look at or read any sexually stimulating literature.

8.           As much as possible, avoid places, people and situations that tend to pull you down.

Conclusion:  There are consequences that result from our bad desires and choices. The Psalms state a haunting reality. In the wilderness, their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry land. So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it. Psalm 106:14,15 NLT.

It is about time we come face to face with how sin has affected our life and do something about it.  We have shared the resources that believers have.  If you are a Christian use the resources.

Rest in the awesome grace and mercy of God who has called you to be one of His children. Be open with Him and depend on Christ’s power to cleanse and renew.

 

 If you have never received Jesus as Lord, that is the first step.  Come to Him, he will forgive and provide help.  Galatians 3:26-28 tells us we can do that through faith in Christ and being united with Him.

 

 

The following material is provided to assist you in application of the sermon. You may go over this individually, share it with a small group or your family.

OPEN - Share your “story” with some others.         

What do you remember from your child hood about when you did something you were told not to do.  Were you punished?  How did you feel?  Did you keep doing it or did you learn a lesson?

 

DIG – Look into the Bible’s “story” to discover insights that will help your understanding.

1.      What is the culprit in Galatians 5:16-19.  In this same passage, what resource is indicated?
2.      The multidimensional nature of sin is indicated in Ephesians 2:2-3.  What are the three avenues sin uses that are mentioned here?
3.      According to Philippians 2:18 what is our call as Christians living in a dark world?
4.      Can you list the four categories of sin mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21.  Why are the majority of them sometimes called “Christian” sins?  Is this list of sins exhaustive?
5.      How does a realization of who we are help us in battling sin? (see Ephesians 1:3-14)
6.      According to Romans 6:4,6 what had the believers done and what were they called to do?
7.      Ephesians 6:14-18 gives us some of the resources we have as believers to engage in spiritual warfare.  What ones are already our possession?  What ones are we to “take up?”  What is the significance of this difference?

 

REFLECT – Here you apply the “story” of the scriptures to your own life; to take personal inventory and share with others what you will do about it.

  1. As you consider your armor as a Christian, what parts are in good shape? What is moldy and rusty? What do you need to do to get ready for battle?
  2. Are you struggling right now with a “besetting sin”, one that just won’t leave you alone? How do you feel?  What do you think the Lord is calling you to do?
  3. What evidence do you see of the spiritual battle in your life? Our church? Our community? The nation? The world?   What would it mean for you “to stand” in light of these particular battlefields?
  4. Read Romans 12:2 and Philippians 4:8. In the light of how sin develops, how are these verses helpful?
  5. What insight(s) did you gain from this study that will help you kill a persistent sin in your life?

 

Special Assignment:  Take a searching personal inventory of your life.  Read Galatians 5:13-25 and compare your life with what is mentioned there.  How much of it would be under the category of “works of the flesh” and how much would be listed as “the fruit of the Spirit.”  Honestly go to the Lord confessing those things that are in the former category.  Seek to yield to the Spirit for Him to produce His fruit in your life.

 

Additional Insight:        Ten Steps to control physical desire
A husband and  wife and  were shopping at a mall kiosk, a shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. The husband’s  eyes followed her. Without looking up from the item she was examining, his wife asked, "Was it worth the trouble you’re in?" (Drew Anderson (Tucson, AZ), Reader’s Digest)

How can we control the physical urges that come which we know are out of harmony with God’s will?


1. Concentrate on honoring the Lord with your thoughts, emotions and every action and avoid tempting situations. Paul wrote, "Flee sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside of his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Therefore, honor God with your body and spirit, which are God’s." (I Corinthians 6:18-20)

2. Determine in your mind to love the Lord more than you love the world with all its entrapments. John writes, "Love not the world neither the things in the world for all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not of the Father but is from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (I John 2:15,16)

3. Consider the great damage that lust does to your life and relationships. James wrote, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God?" (James 4:1-4)

4. Avoid focusing on people, things or possessions with a lustful eye. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27,28)

5. Consider the self-destructive consequences of lust. Solomon wrote, "Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished." (Proverbs 6:25 29) Everyone who engages in adultery will experience guilt, shame and disappointment. Consider how lust wars against one’s inner well being, peace, and happiness. Peter wrote, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. (I Peter 2:11) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." (I Peter 1:14)

6. Run away from things that tempt you to lust and involve yourself in activities that contribute to Christ’s great commission of Matthew 28:19,20. Paul wrote, "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)

7. Stay in step with the directions of the Holy Spirit and you will feel less tempted to lust. Paul wrote, "Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary to one another: so you cannot do the things that you please." (Galatians 5:16,17)

8. Deny your natural lusts and choose to live godly lives that benefit one in millions of ways. Paul wrote, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying godliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." (Titus 2:11,12)

9. Live by the grace of Jesus rather than trying to live according to a set of rules, regulations and policies. Paul wrote, "For sin will not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14) We can only live by grace through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

10. Refuse to let sin become your master or you will be enslaved by your lusts. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. (Romans 6:19) Millions have lived to regret their momentary surrender to lust - ask Bill Clinton!                         (This material is from a message by Paul Fritz.  SermonCentral.com)