“The fight against besetting sins.”
JESUS, our Superhero through His marvelous work of grace has conquered sin for us! This is a ginormous victory! Now…we must enact the victory. Hence, the phrase “we fight from victory not for victory.”
However, we have a role to play in possessing our possessions. It’s a violent role. This is why I say Christianity is not for whimps and whiners – though all are welcomed.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Mt 11:12) This is not a call to passivity. Everyone of us must wage war against besetting sins. You know those nagging reoccuring decimals that you thought you saw the last of…but here we go again! Ugh!!!
Let’s look at the meaning of Beset– to surround with hostile intent, to set upon, attack, assault on all sides. The example given is that of a fox surrounded by hounds.
If you saw yourself surrounded by your hateful enemies growling for you to give in when you are tempted by that sin, you may act differently! You’re in a war! I’m sure we’d see the most violent you! Well here is this sin surrounding you and threatening your identity in Christ, threatening to reduce you to shame, and breathing out lies. It wants to kill, steal and destroy your life. What do you do?
Attack!!!
You attack with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD! Eph 6: 17. How? Identify scriptures that speaks to the issue and to your true identity.
Separate the issue from yourself! It’s not you! Instead, its a slave driver seeking mastery over you. Like God counselled Cain, “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”Gen 4:7NASB
Will you be mastered?
Pray violently when it arises..It’s an enemy! Understand that GOD does not condemn you but is for you. Note: He crushes our enemies under our feet, not His. Rm 16:20 HE is the one who gave us power over every power. Lk 10:19
Affirm that this sin is not in keeping with your new nature in Christ so you oppose it forcefully.” Resist the devil and he will flee.” Jm 4:7 Remember you are surrounded, so striking force has to be maximized with several types of weapons.
“Call on the Name of the LORD! Those who call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved” “…the Name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous runs in and are safe.”
Fast….The sin maybe one that JESUS described as “this kind.”Fasting gives strength to your spirit man and allow your spirit to dominate. Isolate the besetting in fasting and prayer and watch it disintegrate. Mind you some targets need multiple strikes. Don’t let up.
Declare…You have known to control your tongue because you know the power it carries. Use that same tongue loaded with the Word to declare your destiny. “Sin shall not have dominion over me.” “I whip my body and make it my slave.”
Never stop striking until it’s dead. For you are “more than conqueror through Christ who strengthens you.” Rm 8:37
Mediate and memorize Rm 8:31-39. Actually do it since you’re fighting like you mean it!
