Post by Zac Loh on Nov 15, 2010 4:20:48 GMT -5
A brother in Christ wrote to me asking for advice over a habitual sin. I am thinking that my reply to him might be of help to others as well:
It's a lifetime journey and a daily outcome. For victory, our commitment must a lifetime commitment to holiness. And then, victory is won on a daily basis.
1) Seek to enter into God's presence on a daily basis. Because, in God's presence, things come into perspective. In God's presence, you find the ability and grace. "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22)" Without God's presence, everything is meaningless. There is no point of talking about holiness and victory without God's presence. We become holy because God is holy. Without God's presence, any other motivation for holiness is plain religiosity.
2) Deny yourself. It is not easy. The battle can be very difficult and exhausting. If you have lost it yesterday; remember that today is a new battle, that you have to fight anew, forgetting about yesterday, which is already gone.
3) Set boundaries and parameter. We, at times, like to test ourselves. But Joseph flee from Potiphar's wife. Paul admonished Timothy to flee from youthful lusts. Jesus taught us to pray, "lead me not into temptation." So stay as far as possible from the source, the trigger, the influence, the affect - that will eventually lead you to sin. There are epicenters, the centers of gravity, of sin. Be conscious, beware, identify these epicenters of sin. What are the situations, the places, the communication mediums i.e. movies, people - that you know is a bad influence on you personally. Stay the distance. Realize when you are too near. Keep yourself away.
4) Holiness is lifetime commitment which covers everything about us and not limited to a certain habit. What is the commitment in our heart to holiness? Do we have a lifetime commitment? Do we have a thorough commitment? If the answer is yes, then half of the battle is won.
It's a lifetime journey and a daily outcome. For victory, our commitment must a lifetime commitment to holiness. And then, victory is won on a daily basis.
1) Seek to enter into God's presence on a daily basis. Because, in God's presence, things come into perspective. In God's presence, you find the ability and grace. "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22)" Without God's presence, everything is meaningless. There is no point of talking about holiness and victory without God's presence. We become holy because God is holy. Without God's presence, any other motivation for holiness is plain religiosity.
2) Deny yourself. It is not easy. The battle can be very difficult and exhausting. If you have lost it yesterday; remember that today is a new battle, that you have to fight anew, forgetting about yesterday, which is already gone.
3) Set boundaries and parameter. We, at times, like to test ourselves. But Joseph flee from Potiphar's wife. Paul admonished Timothy to flee from youthful lusts. Jesus taught us to pray, "lead me not into temptation." So stay as far as possible from the source, the trigger, the influence, the affect - that will eventually lead you to sin. There are epicenters, the centers of gravity, of sin. Be conscious, beware, identify these epicenters of sin. What are the situations, the places, the communication mediums i.e. movies, people - that you know is a bad influence on you personally. Stay the distance. Realize when you are too near. Keep yourself away.
4) Holiness is lifetime commitment which covers everything about us and not limited to a certain habit. What is the commitment in our heart to holiness? Do we have a lifetime commitment? Do we have a thorough commitment? If the answer is yes, then half of the battle is won.