How temptation and sin work in the believer.

How temptation and sin work in the believer.

1. Here is the first thing to process:  you and I have ‘go-to’ sins—or signature sins.  These are the sins we will commit if we are going to sin.  For instance there is very little chance you might get drunk on Friday night, but highly likely you will express anger in an ungodly way to your kids.  This is because your signature sin is anger—not drunkenness.  Even more telling is that there is a strong possibility that your go-to sins are generational.  We’ve all heard this:  ‘that guy has a drinking problem just like his dad!’  Or, ‘she is a control freak just like her mother!’
2. We need to learn to defeat these go-to sins and crucify them.  Once we can list our go-to sins and learn what they are, we are ready to crucify them daily.  The longer we fight them, crucify them, and give them to Jesus—the weaker those sins become in us.  They gradually begin to lose their strangle hold on us.
3. But in the process demons know our weaknesses and make sure we are constantly exposed to the potential of further sin.  I don’t drink alcohol at all, so the devil never tempts me with booze.  I could have 8 cases of beer in my garage and never think—wow maybe tonight!  So demons don’t use that tactic with me.  I do however constantly sin with perfectionism.  So, as I strive to ever please the Lord and constantly beat myself up for failing, demons also help the cause.  ‘Wow Peter, are you sure you applied yourself enough?  Peter, you need to work harder!  Peter you failed today, you didn’t pray long enough!'

Why we need victory over sin

1. Sin never hinders Father’s relationship with me.  1 John 1:6-10 (KJV) : 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  
2. Sin always hinders my relationship with Father.  Sin causes me to hide from God (just like Adam did) and puts a blockage between Father and myself.  When I sin, my fellowship with Father is broken.  Jesus is pleading on my behalf and the Father is reaching out to me—but my sin has deafened my ears and I cannot hear the Father pleading with me:  “Peter come home!”   The longer one is estranged from the Father the longer they will stay out of fellowship with the Father.  

Isaiah 59:2 (KJV) 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Romans 10:21 (ESV) 21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

1John 2:1 (KJV) 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

What should you do?

1. Learn your ‘go-to’ sins.  Think about it.  Pray about it.  Ask God.  Ask your spouse!  Ask your kids.  Ask your close friends.
2. Learn victory over them.
3. Repent often.
4. The longer you serve the Lord  the closer you get to crossing the finishing line of your pilgrimage.  You are going somewhere. You are going to purity. You are heading towards the pure manifestation of Father’s will—-the closer you get to the finishing line—the purer the manifestation of Father’s will should be evident in your inner man, mind, body, and thus into your environment and actions.