Fighting Sin

In ministry, I see so many people that fight with the issue that the apostle Paul described. I am asked so often the question - “Why do I still sin, and more importantly how can I win this fight against sin?” I believe that there is a Biblical truth that will indeed set the captive free. As we delight in the Lord, we are transformed. The Bible so beautifully declares, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…And in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psalms 1:1-3, NAS). If we can truly learn to “delight” in Him, and let His Holy Spirit abide in us, we will be able to resist the enemy and live in freedom!

Many people continue to struggle as Paul saying, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15, NIV). I love what C.S. Lewis says regarding the Christian way. In Mere Christianity (2001) he states, “Christ says ‘Give me All. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. Hand over the whole natural self all the desires, which you think innocent, as well as the ones you think wicked – the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.” How profound! The Lord has made a provision for us to live a holy life by allowing His presence to abide within us. If we only believe by faith and understand that his yoke is easy and his burden light (Matthew 11:30, NAS), then we can be empowered to win the fight against sin. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36,NAS).