Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 64Reciting verses of Scripture we have memorized and giving thanks may seemfutile, but we must continue --- resisting any thought of quitting. It won’t be long beforedepression will leave us alone! --- [I’m not suggesting that all depression can behandled so simply] --- However, in tackling our emotional moods, praise is the place tobegin!We will discover new liberty in our Christian life if we realize that our faithneed not be tied to our feelings. We honor God when we walk by faith withoutemotional supports. And within time, our feelings begin to catch up with the truth thatwe accept with our minds. In practical terms, this means that we can begin right now totake constructive steps toward positive change. We’ll never feel more like doing it thanat this very moment. The following suggested application will help us to begin rightnow!1. Choose, by a determination of our will, to face all stressful situations with aspirit of self-denial instead of letting feelings and pleasure rule us.2. Knowing that seeking to find victory in feelings is sin – that feelings fluctuate,and spirituality is not equated with “feeling just right,” we repent of “walkingin the flesh,” and of the sin of considering the reality of the Christ-life on thebasis of feeling, and decide to trust God and to “live by faith.”3. We will fulfill our responsibilities even when we do not feel like doing them!4. Study carefully and prayerfully Jesus’ words in John 12:27-28, realizing thatGod’s will often will counter our own feelings5. Determine that we will always “walk by faith” and not emotional sight!Getting Practical1. What evidence is there that our generation stresses physical comfort –(feelings and pleasure) rather than a life of self-denial?2. Faith often runs counter to feeling. Even the attempt to find victory in feelingsis a sin in the life of the believer. In short, living by feeling is simply “walking in theflesh.” We must repent of the sin of assessing the reality of the Christ-life on the basis offeeling. Think seriously about these questions: “Why do our feelings fluctuate? Why do weso often think that spirituality is to be equated with feeling just right?” Give examples wherefaith runs contrary to feelings in your life.3. What responsibilities do you have that you do not feel like doing? Why do youthen do them? What would happen if you only did whatever you felt like doing?4. Read the words of Christ in John 12:27-28. How does the text show thatChrist‘s determination to do the Father’s will often went counter to His own feelings?5. What practical benefits are there in realizing that we “walk by faith” and notemotional sight?