Practical Ways To Overcome Sin

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus was like us. He was tempted and He suffered from temptation. This is an encouragement to us because it gives us hope that we too can overcome sin! Not only did Jesus make a way for us to come to God in repentance, but He showed us that we can overcome daily struggles. Whatever your daily struggle is, you can overcome. You can be made new! Death has been defeated because Jesus bore our sickness, and carried our pains, and by His stripes we are healed through the power of the cross (Isaiah 53:3-4) 

Read Luke Chapter 4! It is all about how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the Devil. How did Jesus combat the temptations? Did He give in to sin and bow to the Devil? Or did He overcome? If you read the chapter you see that He fought off the Devil by quoting scripture. the Bible is often referenced to as a sword. We can fight off the Devil by using God’s word against him, singing songs of praise, prayer, and by the word of your testimony. You can overcome the Devil, you can overcome sin. 

Let’s say you struggle with lustful thoughts and then those lustful thoughts cause you to go further into sexual temptation whether it’s physical or by watching porn (I know, we’re getting serious but this is important). The moment that thought comes into your mind rebuke the Devil OUT LOUD and turn your attention to something else. Maybe turn on worship music, sing praises, do anything but dwell on that thought. Do not give into temptation. I know it’s easier said than done but it really does work. Figure out what triggers those thoughts. Maybe it is movies/ shows you watch, or music you listen to, or accounts on social media you follow. It could even be ads that pop up on Facebook. Do your best to stray away from those things to help your thought life change. The Bible says to pluck out your eye if it causes you to stumble. of course it doesn’t literally mean your eye, but whatever it is that is causing you to stumble, pluck it out! Even if it is social media, tv shows, or movies that cause you to sin. 

Jesus relates to you. In the verses I shared above in Hebrews chapter two it talks all about how Jesus had to be like us to relate to us. How awesome is it that the King relates to you? At the end of verse 18 it says that He is able to help us while we’re being tempted. Call out to Jesus and let Him help you. He is able to help you! When you call, He answers! 

 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

We can approach God’s throne with boldness because of the grace God has shown us and because His Son, Jesus, died on the cross and took the penalty away from us. We receive mercy and grace on a daily basis. He knows we’re human and we mess up, but we must come to God in repentance. You cannot sin and never go to God about it. Yes, He knows your heart, but you still have to tell Him your faults so He can make you new. Just like I need to hear that I am loved by my husband and family ever so often (or daily). Just because I know that my husband obviously loves me and cares for me, doesn’t mean I don’t expect him to say it. That’s like God. He knows we love him, but if we never say it or talk to Him, then how is He supposed to have a relationship with us? It goes both ways, as in any relationship. Go to God in repentance.

You can say this prayer with me,

God, I messed up. Today I had some struggles and I gave in. Help me to renew my mind. Cleanse me, renew me, make me clean. Give me clean hands and a pure heart. I desire to be more like Jesus. Holy Spirit, fill me and lead me today. In the mighty of name of Jesus, amen.

Written by Olivia Mancini