Jesus tells us to watch and pray in order that we might not enter into temptation (Mt 26.41). So why does it so often happen that we watch and pray and then still find ourselves falling into sin? The answer is because we’re watching and praying against the sin and not against the temptation. We’re on guard against the sin but not against the temptations which give rise to it.
Where do we lay the axe when trying to overcome a particular sin? Do we not swing at the fruit itself? We do everything we can to stop committing that sin. We declare our hatred of it, confess our desire to be rid of it, and pray to God for the strength to quit it. And then, we find ourselves soon overcome by it again! Why? Because we swung at the fruit and not at the root itself. We addressed the sin but not the temptations which gave rise to it.
If we would ever be victorious over a particular sin, we must first deal with the temptations that occasion it. Are there friends whose company occasion a temptation to that sin? Are there places we go that suggest we engage in it? Are there activities we regularly do that encourage it? Are there songs that arouse our desires for it? Are there books that fuel our thoughts for it? Are there media that cause us to vicariously participate in that sin in our hearts and minds? These are all temptations to that sin to whaich we must lay the ax of repentance, watchfulness, and self-denial if we ever hope to overcome the sin itself. We may be greatly displeased with the sin, which blemishes our walk and defiled our conscience, but if we cherish the temptations that occasion and encourage it, then we’ll never know victory over it.
In all my years as a Ruling Elder and now as a Pastor, I have seen many who hated a sin with all their hearts and set themselves against it with all the accountability and means they could, only to be ensnared by it again and again because they continued to dally with temptations to it. As one has said, “they tempted Satan to tempt them.” They persisted in the same forms of entertainment which fed the sin; they dwelt upon thoughts and images in the mind that cultivated it; they frequented the same company which encouraged it; and they drove daily by the same place which provoked it. Meanwhile, they made no covenant with their eyes, they cut off no offending hand, they plucked out no offending eye, and therefore they continued to fall into that sin. Tell them they must strike at the temptations themselves and cut off those things that occasion it and they protest either that that’s unnecessary or that they’re unwilling to forego those things. “Surely there must be another way,” they say.
I’ve been that person before… trying with all my might to cut off sin in my life but doing nothing to address the temptations that fueled it. I prayed, studied, and resolved, time and again, against that sin. Yet, time and again I was led away captive by it. I literally felt powerless against it. Every time the temptation came, my resolve melted like wax in the sunshine and I entered into the temptation like a helpless slave. I had no strength to resist the sin and could see no escape from its power. I was robbed of my joy, peace, comfort, and assurance, and even at times questioned my salvation. I wish I understood then what I understand now. It’s foolish to think we can prevent the fruit while protecting the root. The only way to deal with sin is to deal with the temptations that give rise to it.
When the occasions of sin become as hateful to us as the sin itself, it’s then–and only then–that we’re ready to deal with the sin and can expect victory over it.
Very encouraging…especially the last point. Thank you!! 😊
Thank you Terra! I’m glad you were encouraged. May the Lord give you victory over sin.
As I’ve been listening to lectures by Rosaria Butterfield; if I understood correctly; she is suggesting the sin paradigm consisting of original sin which distorts us, “actual sin”, which detracts us, and indwelling sin that manipulates us. If this coheres with Scripture; which I believe it does; we may want to conclude that “indwelling sin” is something we simply will have to deal with as you’ve suggested in this blog. It’s my opinion that we will always be in a battle against sin, God’s devil, and “the world”. If that’s the case; “victory” must be looked at as future. When we are taken home I believe is the only place we’ll never have sin to attend to. This may seem defeatist but I believe it’s the Christian worldview that addresses sin as the denominator for all our woes. anyway……sdg b.
PS…if I’ve understood Owen; he seems to be saying something about indwelling sin never being “overcome”; yet we’re never to give into it. If ya ask me; the Christian experience is best looked at through the cross and bearing ours…it ain’t “pretty”; but what did ya expect with sin as the denominator?
Thanks for the comment Bill. And you’re right, indwelling sin (what Paul refers to in Rom 7.24-25 as this body of death) is something with which we will have to deal until we die because it’s part and parcel with our fallen nature. As Owen said in another place, the only solution for this body of death is the death of this body. However, in this life we can overcome actual sin–and that’s what the post is about: overcoming actual sin. God bless you brother!
As always clear and cogent reply keeping me on the path…Thanks Pastor
Thanx brother a great reminder in the battle !! The daily fall is very discouraging but thankfully we have the help from our Loving Savior! Dress for combat and arm ourselves with the word ! Lord bless you brother
Thank you Johnny! We dress for battle every day, don’t we? But the day is soon coming when we’ll lay our weapons down and trade in our armor for a robe and crown. Let’s fight in view of the sure victory of that day brother!