Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 82them for what they are – and say, “Satan, in the name of Jesus, I command you to leave me,for it is written in 2 Timothy 1:7 that `God has not given us a sprit of timidity, but of power andlove and discipline.’” As we hold on, and insist, to that promise – in Jesus’ name – James4:7 tells us that Satan will have to flee.I’ve used a simply illustration of just “overeating” however, this same strategymust be used in resisting whatever sinful habit we desire to have victory over --- worry--- anger --- gossip --- drugs, of any type --- bitterness --- unforgiveness -- or sexualtemptation. Satan wants a foothold on our will. At first he is satisfied with only a tinybit of control; time is on his side. If we give in a little he’ll eventually get more. Sooneror later, we will be a salve in that area of our life –-- that what he wants!When we resist him we will find relief, but probably not for long. Satan and hishenchmen do not give up easily. Christ was confronted three times in rapid succession.If Satan assaults us 10 times, we need to resist him 10 times, and never give in. We haveauthority over every suggestion of the evil one.There may be times when a battle might rage intermittently within our mind fora period of time – maybe even hours – we may be rebuffed again and again – back andforth sinful thoughts keep returning -- but we need to resist this satanic force andrefocus our thoughts on God’s promises. If we keep insisting on our authority in Jesus’name and commanding the evil one to depart, those thoughts eventually will have toleave --- and peace will come to us!Don’t misunderstand. We will not see the last of insidious thoughts. However,whenever they return, they will do so with less power, and we can know -- on the basisof Christ’s authority -- we can insist on our freedom.We should never be fooled when satanic forces withdraw – that they are goingto leave us alone because they have given up on us. If they withdraw, it is to regroup; itis to re-evaluate their next planned attack. Our responsibility is to be ready, guardingour heart and mind with all diligence, lest we become lax in the middle of a declaredwar.We may lose many battles, but eventually we will win the war. Slowly ourvictories will begin to outnumber our defeats. We will discover that we do haveauthority, just as the Scriptures teach us. We will wrestle effectively against thekingdom of darkness and prove the Scripture that says, “Greater is He who is in you thathe who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).Getting Practical1. If Satan wanted to destroy us – and he does – how would he do it? What sin inyour life is the most likely place for him to attack?2. Here are the seven pieces of armor listed in Ephesians 6:12-17. Included is abrief description of what each piece ought to mean to us personally: