Battling With Sin
This entry in the Sermon Blog refers to the Message from July 29th at New Life Church, Billingham. The message was shared by Luke Taylor and is available on the podacst page and also on the online iPod at the right hand side of the screen, under the Sunday Services playlist.
The action points below are here to help you apply this word into your life and to give a chance for follow up to the Sunday Message. We want to help and interact with you – please leave any questions or issues that you may by clicking on the comments link at the bottom of this post. Luke will happy to answer any questions that you may have.
ACTION POINTS
How do I guard myself against sin?
- We'd do well to remember 3 things:
1. GOD IS PERFECT – he can't let it slip. He won't overlook it – if he did he wouldn't be perfect. Perhaps if that were at the front of our minds we'd think twice. It's not that God wants to punish us for sin or that he doesn't want to forgive us, but if he let it slide he would not be true to himself.
2. REALISE YOUR SOFT SPOTS – this is so important. We all have them, so don't deny it – you are not helping yourself that way. What in your desires have the most potential to control you? Learn where you are weak and guard yourself. Find someone you trust – tell them where you can be weak, ask for help in watching for them. It's not easy – I know – but it will really help.
3. GIVE IT ALL TO HIM – Let him be in control. Our way doesn't work – it never will. It will only lead you away from him. We might not like to admit it sometimes, but we DO NEED HIM in every part of our lives. Let him into that part you are shutting him out of, because that area is where you are most likely to stumble.
What if Sin beats me and I fall?
- ADMIT
Admitting is the first step to getting back on track. Admit it to yourself – sometimes that may be hard – but be real with yourself. You know when you've sinned. We all do.
Then admit it to God, then that's the first step to forgiveness.
- REPENT
But repentance is not licence just to sin and know we can say sorry later. That word repentance when Jesus uses it is Metanoia, which means a Change of mind or to Have another mind. Repentance does not mean saying sorry whenever you do something wrong.
With repentance the idea is that you were headed in the wrong direction and you turn around and head in the right direction.
Repentance is been sorry enough to stop.
- MOVE ON
Once you have repented, then guess what? You have been forgiven – so let it go. Don't keep bringing it back up – it won't do you any good. When you put something at the foot of the cross, leave it there or you'll never move on from it.
I hope this helps – please, if you have any questions or comments, leave them below and I'll do what I can to reply to them.
Luke
