This line from Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement has stuck with me since I read it in one of her newsletters.
“Sin always takes us farther than we thought we’d go, keeps us longer than we thought we’d stay, and costs more than we thought we’d pay. We really do become slaves to our sinning, whether it’s lying, lusting, or losing it when we’re angry. And until we admit we’re hooked; we’re powerless to stop. Will you admit yours?”
We all have areas of sin that are more difficult to overcome. What is difficult for me may not even be a temptation for you and what is difficult for you may not be a temptation for me. But each of us has our own personal area(s) of difficulty.
Our enemy knows us each intimately and tailors our temptations for our personal weaknesses. He knows not to try to tempt me to smoke since I’ve overcome that temptation. But he also knows the areas that I’m still struggling with.
As I struggle with my current area of sin I’ve been thinking about the differences between the sin’s I’ve overcome and the ones I still struggle to overcome.
One difference I’ve found is that I’ve left a door open to my current sin – or as Romans 13:14 says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Making provision for the flesh or keeping your options open – allowing “just this once” to be part of your thinking about your current sin. I’m finding that there are too many times that I allow myself to sin “just this once”.
Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs us to put off the old and put on the new,
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” KJV
Putting off the old sin, renewing your mind – this tends to be more difficult than it sounds. There is no way to do this without the Lord. I find I have to keep my thought life focused on the Lord and His promises – sometimes minute by minute.
One promise I’ve found very helpful is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
If I’m sensitive to the Lord’s leading I do see the ways He provides for me to escape temptation. But I have to receive them and apply them to my situation.
Then there is the Lord’s mercy – it is new every morning.
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23.
Where are you struggling? What do you find helpful? Please share so we can all benefit from what the Lord is teaching us.
The winner of Single Girl by Ashley Schnarr is Penney. She has already been notified and should be enjoying her prize. Congratulations!
Finding Joy in the Journey,
Phyllis
I would love to have the opportunity to keep in touch with you. Please sign up to be notified of new entries and to receive my Free E-zine. (Your address will not be shared)
Please sign up and receive your free copy of Dan’s Doodles I
Phyllis Sather
Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness at:
© 2011 Phyllis Sather
All rights reserved
Contact me Phyllis@Phyllis-Sather.com
11 Comments
momstheword
What a blessing that the Lord doesn’t leave us miserable and struggling in our sin. I think we have to recognize our weaknesses and take steps to avoid putting ourselves in that position, if possible.
This doesn’t include just sin but any weak areas. I know a gal who is afraid of something, yet she continually searches the internet and read disreputable reports on the very thing she’s afraid of, making herself more afraid.
I keep telling her that you can’t believe everything you read and that these people are just out to frighten her and that it’s not true, but she keeps reading it and scaring herself anyway.
I belonged to the same homeschool co-op as Lorrie and her children did. She’s a very sweet lady and her children were so fun to teach, especially in drama!
Thanks so much for linking up to the “Making Your Home Sing Monday” linky party today! 🙂
Phyllis
Thanks for your thoughts on this. Lorrie is a fun lady and a blessing to know.
It’s extremely easy these days to read something that will cause you to fear. I really need to work at keeping my eyes on the Lord.
Judith at WholeHearted Home
Thank you for sharing. I stopped over from ‘A Mama’s Story’ to visit.
Phyllis
Hi Judith, Loved your site.
Rachael
Yes, don’t we all have our current sin struggles! I find putting on the armor of Christ through prayer is a protection. Sometimes the most valuable pieces are the shield and the sword. I need them all but deflecting those flaming arrows and memorizing God’s word is powerful. I love all your scripture references. Perfect for this topic! Blessings to you! Love, Rachael at Inking the Heart (linking up with you at What Joy is Mine)
Phyllis
We certainly do Rachael – we will never be totally free until the Lord returns.
Sarah
I think this is really very true – whether faithful or not we can all choose to deal with our more persistent sins and cope with them if only we think carefully and are willing to try.
Thanks for linking up!
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
Phyllis
Hi Sarah, thanks again for stopping by. I appreciate your comments so much.
Phyllis
Thanks for stopping by Rosilind. You have a wise father.
Tracey F.
Very good post. I, too, have struggled in the past. I am hoping, praying, and working to KEEP it there. One thing that keeps me going, besides what I wrote under your Facebook post, is that I am keeping myself busy doing the negative of my struggles. In other words, I am researching and finding out new and natural ways to be healthy! My old struggles lead to death (like all sin does). I want to live! I’m a busy homeschooling mother of six, anyway, so it doesn’t take much to keep me occupied. I’ll pray for you, too, Phyllis! :o)
Phyllis
Thanks Tracy. I was going to ask if you could post it in the comments. I like this – “Sin always promises satisfaction…but always leaves you with regret.” I will pray for you as well. Thanks for stopping to read my article and for your encouraging words.