Besetting Sin

This Sunday we spoke about besetting sin in light of our continued study of Genesis.  (Hebrews 12:1-2) We’re in chapter 20 of Genesis where, once again, Abraham has told that familiar half-truth: “Sarah is my sister”.  Of course, she WAS his half-sister, but that kernel of truth was overshadowed by the fact of his attempt to deceive because of his fear of what men might do to him.  Here is a man who willingly, by faith, picked up and moved his entire family to a strange land because God had bidden him, yet he could not trust God to protect him in this matter.  It seems incongruous to us at first blush, but just as Paul had noted (Romans 7:15-20), we too fail to do that which we would, and continue in that which we wouldn’t.

I do not pretend to have left besetting sin entirely in my past, but will share with you a three-pronged strategy to do battle; in addition to regular Bible reading, prayer, and worship; that should help one find reasonable hope of victory.

First, we need to lay aside the weight.  Simply put, we need to put that sin from us.  Ask God to help.  Be honest and humble, owning your sin and asking His help to forsake it, putting forth earnest effort.  1 Corinthians 9:24  Build in safeguards.  Break habits and routines that facilitate the sin, while developing habits and routines that defy that sin.  Loose yourself from the entanglements of that sin. Romans 13:14

 

Next, endure the trial that it is sure to be.  Just as a good soldier endures hardship, we, as soldiers of Christ need to endure this too.  2 Timothy 2:3-5 We need to willing do the uncomfortable thing.  Our will must be submissive to His.  James 4:7

 

Finally, we need focus on Jesus with a desire away from the flesh and mindful of spiritual things.  Romans 8:5-6  If we are focused on our Lord, He can do so much more with us. And, of course, He will provide top notch management of your life!  Isaiah 26:3  After all, He is the author and finisher of our faith and has begun a good work in you and He will be faithful to complete it!  Phil 1:6