Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12
Admitting we are weakin an area of sin will help us begin the journey of overcoming our strongholds. You can rationalize it, rename it, excuse it or deny it, but it is yours to deal with. This verse was not written to only some Christians. We are all faced with battles, but we can know victory in Jesus name.
Repenting and grieving over our sin and the damage it has caused to our own lives and the lives of those around us is the next step. Repentance is sorrow converted into action and new life. It is a verb. Action is required to produce change. If we say we are sorry and do not change our actions – stop the sin cycle – that is not repentance. Do whatever you have to do to keep the temptation away. Put distance between you and what you know your weakness is. Allowing it to stay in your life is a dangerous move. Remove yourself from failure by closing the door where Satan has been entering and declare that desire dead. You can’t play with fire and not get burned. A fact of life is that to choose to sin is to choose to suffer because every sin is a violation of God’s design and desire for our lives.
Visualize the freedom you have from the sin. Imagine how it feels to be unchained. Think about the relief from the burden of guilt and shame. When we are bound by sin, the hopeless weight we carry is such a burden. Dream of the joy, peace, and purpose that God has promised and ordained for you. Visualize the change God can be in your life.
Get Moving! Breaking an old habit without starting a new one is like weeding a garden but no planting anything in its place. Empty ground grows weeds.
The fully committed life of a believer is a battleground, not a playground. Surrender your complete life to God…area by area…emotions and actions, business and home, hobbies and relationships. With the Spirit in control there are few other decisions the believer is faced with. The Christian life is not merely a standard or pattern of behavior, but a life lived under the control of Christ. The goal of spiritual transformation is not to change a behavior but to change a heart. Religion can alter behavior, but only Christ can change a life.
Scripture to Claim:
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
