ARE YOU DONE WITH SIN?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves
also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the
body is done with sin.
(1 Peter 4:10)

MEDITATION:
If you are a Christian, have you found yourself in a constant battle with sin?
If you have, then you know how challenging it can be. You may not struggle
with the same sins as others, but more than likely you may have one or more
sins that continue to torment and try to control you. Even though you avoid
it as much as possible, you know it is always lingering close by and ready to
strike in your moments of weakness.

God knows our weak areas, and so does Satan. God wants to help us achieve
victory over sin, but Satan wants to continue to torment us with temptations
of continuing to be vulnerable to sin. The evil one knows when we are most
vulnerable and he attacks us at every opportunity.

As we battle to overcome the sins that continue to haunt us, we can become
very frustrated, can’t we? We may have times when we think we have once
again conquered our weakness, but we are disappointed to find that it has
returned once again and we failed to reject it.

It can be a scary time when we realize just how much sin can control us.
We pray for God’s help, but we often make the mistake of continuing to
try to battle this force of evil on our own. It can be a frustrating vicious
cycle. We assume we have been victorious and find out that the sin is still
‘hanging around’ like a snake ready to strike at our moments of weakness.

The scriptures tell us that we need to protect (arm) ourselves with the
same attitude of Christ, if we expect to have victory over persistent sin
in our lives. This means that we will have to suffer the sacrifice of what
seems pleasurable to our bodily desires, and become more like Jesus.

If we are serious about overcoming temptation and defeating these sins,
then we know that we need the power of the Holy Spirit to not only help
us, but to fight our battles for us. That’s right, when we ask the Holy Spirit
to help us, it means we think we still can contribute to our victory over sin.
But, the truth is, we have already discovered that our best efforts are still
not good enough.

When we humbly ask the Holy Spirit to protect us from temptation and sin,
it means we are becoming less independent and more dependent on the Lord.
He will intervene and win the victory for us, and He will also make us more
aware of how the temporary pleasure of sin leaves us feeling empty, and with
a overwhelming guilt for disobeying God’s instructions of how we should live
a righteous life in fellowship with Him.

Look at how the scriptures describe those who are ‘done with sin’.
    As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly
    lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will
    of God. For you have spent enough time in the past
    doing what pagans choose to do: living in debauchery,
    lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable
    idolatry.
    (1 Peter 4:2-3)

The scriptures also give us a heads-up of how we can expect others
to respond when we separate ourselves from the sins in our lives.
    They are surprised that you do not join them in
    their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse
    on you.
    (1 Peter 4:4)

God’s Word also issues a warning for any who choose to continue
living with a tenacious sin causing them to stumble and fall. God
wants to sanctify us (replacing unrighteousness with righteousness)
and persistent sin will prevent us being transformed into the person
God wants us to be.
    But they will have to give account to him
    who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
    (1 Peter 4:5)

Lastly, the scriptures tell us why the gospel of righteousness
is preached to mankind.
    For this is the reason the gospel was preached
    even to those who are now dead, so that they
    might be judged according to human standards
    in regard to the body, but live according to God
    in regard to the spirit.
    (1 Peter 4:6)

ACTION:
Let’s be honest, if sin didn’t offer some amount of pleasure, then it
wouldn’t be tempting, would it? However, the problem with sin is,
the pleasure doesn’t last, and it is violating the way our Creator has
taught us to live if we expect to live eternally in heaven.

Sin promises more than it can deliver, it stays longer than expected,
and it costs us more than we thought it would (it damages our fellowship
with our Creator who loves us and offers us a lasting joy that sin cannot
deliver).

The good news for believers is, God knows the power of sin and He
wants to help us break its chains on us. When He saved us, He made
the Holy Spirit available to help us with our struggles with temptation
and sin. However, we need to pray and ask God for the Holy Spirit to
become a living part of our lives. Look at what Jesus said:
    “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish,
      will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for
      an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then,
      though you are evil, know how to give good gifts
      to your children, how much more will your Father
      in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
      (Luke 11:11-13)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I am tired of this losing battle I am
having with sin. I want to be done with it, so I’m asking
You to fill me with the Holy Spirit so the chains of sin on
me will be broken, and I can live a more fulfilling life that
is pleasing to You. Create in me an attitude more like Jesus,
so I can resist sinful temptations and enjoy a close fellowship
with You. I want to join You in heaven when my life on earth
is over. Prepare me for how I might be treated by others when
I no longer participate in the sinfulness that has controlled me
in the past. Thank You for how you will give me victory over the
things that displease You and for the new path of peace and joy
I will receive when You cleanse me of unrighteousness.”

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