What’s the hardest, most difficult, most exhausting, and most dangerous matter you will face today? Do you know the answer? It's the same answer for all of us. The answer is sin. There is no greater plague, no heavier burden, and no greater challenge before you today than sin. There is nothing with greater consequences and nothing that can bring you more pain. Sin offers nothing but momentary pleasure that metastasizes to deadly disease.
Today, you and I must fight against sin (Galatians 5:19-21).
Fight against idolatry.
Fight against envy.
Fight against lust.
Fight against immorality.
Fight against contentions.
Fight against lying.
Fight against cutting comments.
Fight against hateful thinking.
Fight against angry outbursts.
Fight against stealing.
Fight against jealousy.
Fight against meanness.
Fight against laziness.
Fight against addictions.
Fight against worry.
Fight against all attitudes and actions like any of these.
How Do We Fight Against Sin?
Start here, determine you will not sin. Remember Joseph living in Potiphar’s house? The text implies that she had been luring Joseph long before she propositioned him (Genesis 39:7). Joseph’s reply was a predetermined one. He was not going to sin with Potiphar’s wife. We do well to make a similar determination when we purpose not to sin. We articulate the purpose in statements like, “I will not have an angry outburst” and “I will not be argumentative.”
Take the steps the Bible advises. When sin presents itself…
Flee youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22).
Take to yourself the whole armor of God so you can withstand temptation (Ephesians 6:11).
Hide God’s Word in your heart so that you do not sin against God (Psalm 119:11).
You can win this fight, Christian, because you are a changed person. The Holy Spirit gave you a new nature at your new birth. Our God has released us from our captor. Part of our inheritance is freedom from sin. Now go live in your freedom.
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.