Habitual Sin?
Hey Kevin
I know one of our recent bible studies was about resisting the temptation to sin. So, what if someone is already involved in something they know is wrong and can't seem to get out of it? What do they do then? What if the instant gratification seems more appealing than doing the right thing? How do you stop doing what you know is wrong?
George
Great Question George...
I am assuming that you are refering to the bible study which Paul stated...
1Co 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
I am in my own journey of wrapping my mind around this truth of God. My opionions, interpretations are evolving and changing continually. Remember, though we may not see this truth in our lives, by faith we believe that there is a perspective which is greater than our perspective.
Example : The elderly lady, with the last 100 dollar bill in her pockey, sitting infront of the slot machine may cry out to God, "save me from this temptation!".... As she is flat broke walking out of the Casino she shakes her fist at God saying, "You didn't come through for me".
From her perspective, God did not come through the way she saw fit.
There are profound points which Paul states in this verse
1. There are others who deal with what you are going through.
2. He is very interested, involved
3. Though you feel out of control, He is in full control
4. You have responsiblity
5. He has a talor made plan of escape for you.
My thoughts...
I was just invited to attended a "group therapy" dinner for victims dealing with a history sexual abuse issues. I observed so many things while there.
individuals shared, cried, laughed and as they did this it released others to share, cry, and laugh.
There was a real sense of healing in the room ( not a cure, but healing)
I could see God transforming these ugly secrets into an opportunity to fuse relationships betweem the individuals as well bring a sense of worship to a God who was very real. Most of all, it seemed that Gods spirit was revealing the very same principles...
1. There are others who deal with what you are going through.
2. He is very interested, involved
3. Though you feel out of control, He is in full control
4. You have responsiblity
5. He has a talor made plan of escape for you.
11 Comments:
We appreciate the reminder of the fact that others are experiencing our trials but sorry Kevin you weren't very helpful in the advice on how to overcome your temptation. The message I felt you sent was don't cry about your problems. I know God will give us the strenght but there're ways to seek it and no offense ment but I feel that you didn't really explain how to handle temptation. We know all about the "silver lining" -how God can make the best from your worst experiences to aid others in thier plights- and how to learn from your mistakes, but how do you obtain the strength and inspiration? I don't know...Maybe I'm just not interpreting you message correctly or missing something vital that's actaully quite obvious. Unless you can utilize His power, God's gifts are seem as distant as an untapped source...No matter how you grapple with it, it appears hopelessly out of reach as your unable to properly embrace it.
For me personally, I think of temptation as an awesome opportunity. When I am tempted I try to make a consious effort to look at the big picture of what our purpose is, which I believe is for His kingdom to come and his will be done. Not that I am saying this keeps me from giving in to my temptation, because that would be a lie, but at least in is an eye opener as to who it is I am serving.
Shannon
To respond to the first comment:
1. Are you a group? If so, which group? ( you refer to yourself as "We" ) .
2. You seem to have an annoyed tone to your writing. Do I know you?, and have we disagreed before on any issues?
3. I was trying to comment on what I thought Paul was trying to convey to us in regard to the subject of temptation. If you think Pauls take on this is watered down and not any help, maybe some of his other writings may help. I would love to hear from you again when you find something that works for you.
4. You asked "how do you obtain the strength and inspiration?"... and also said...""Unless you can utilize His power"
Well, let me try this again... The points that I think Paul is saying are:
a. There are others who deal with what you are going through.
b. God is very interested, involved
c. Though you feel out of control, He is in full control
d. You have responsiblity
e. He has a talor made plan of escape for you.
Some of the lies of which have kept me in habitual sin that these points (that Paul made) difuse are (in order):
a. You are the only one dealing with this. Shame on you. Do not talk to anyone about this, they will laugh at you and not understand you.
b. God has given you a bunch of rules and left you alone to deal with them.
c. Because you are out of control, there is no hope
d. Just wait for God to rescue you. You do not have to look for a way out, it will drop on your lap. Someone will fix this for you.
e. There is no hope. God doesn't know what to do with you. He has given up on you.
To one of these points you mentioned "we all know this..." I dissagree, we all do not know this, I didn't for many years. For me, these truths are inspirational, living, powerful, and expedentially becoming more inspirational, living, and powerful the more trials and temptation I fail in and succeed in.
5. I know that there is more advice in scripture and I am looking forward to more scripture based advice.
I have been reflecting on my own journey, and have something else to add.
I once took on a plan at striving for "Holiness" in my life. I would write down different things that I thought were wrong for me to do and I would determine myself not to do these things. I looked at people who succeeded in overcoming these temptations as "Holy". When I failed at "biting the bullet" and not doing something I should or Doing something I shouldn't I would feel guilt and usually had to wait a paticular amount of time till I felt like I could try again. The more I failed the longer it would take to get "pumped up" to try again.
I remember this struggle. I still can enter into it if I choose and sometimes even when I do not choose.
There is another way. Christ has provided another way to think and live... Paul tries many times to describe this new experience and I will try to in my next comment (shan needs the Comp.)
Con't...
There is "Good News" for the man/woman who's lost all hope in one's own ability to achieve holiness. Through Christ's Death, He offers His Holiness in exchange for our "inability to follow the rules".
The pressure of screwing up has been removed. The rules are still there, the struggle is still there. But, again, the pressure of screwing up has been removed. We have been offered Holiness as a gift.
The former "pressure" of breaking the rules has been exchanged with a powerful "pressure" of "influence". One is greater for deep change... One just calls for surface change.
My opinion... I don't think God wants to help those who are 80% - 98% "Holy" get "just a little more strength" to bring them closer to 100%. I think He want to exchange our 80% - 98% ( which is probally more like 0.00080% "Holy" ) for Christs 100% "Holy". We must remain totally reliant upon his righteousness and never begin to rely on our own. We can now boast in our 0.000080% and give our worship to Him who is our 100%.
Paul said, ( paraphrase ), Praise God I am now freed from the percentage system, in Christ. not that it has been tossed away, but it is fulfilled and my name is written in the 100% column.
Yes, I am blog happy tonight
are you trying to say taht god isn't interested in helping us get a better percentage? mmmmm
Kevin...
I don't think you understood me! I was talking about when sin has become a habit. What are the steps you would take to break it? Such as avoiding the situation, having someone hold you accountable, etc. I would like to hear your opinion.
And not even completely breaking the habit, but at least knowing how to resist the temptation. It's great to know those priciples you outlined, but when you're in the actual moment, struggling with temptation, how do they help you? What do you do?
Thank you for your patience, george.
When approaching the subject of outward sin (unwanted behaviour), I felt it necessary that I lay a foundation of "Who we are in Christ" or "Who we are, if we are not in Christ."
Using a house analagy, I believe, we must always return to our foundation, when approaching any subject or thought which is built upon that foundation.
In direct terms, if we correct any behaviour to make ourselves a better person, all we can achieve is self confidence, self love, self esteem.
or
If we first cling to the "One" who provides full pardonning, We then are not on a mission to better ourselves, We are on a mission carrying out practically what "He" has already declared in the Spiritual realm (Perfect, Full authority, Esteemed higher than the angels. Huge difference.. Huge difference.
It is the difference between an African American in the 1850's fighting for his life to be free from his slavery, and an African American between 1862 - 2006 fighting for equality in a nation that has declared him as equal.
Well as far as direct "what george should or can do advice"...
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.
a. Take respondsability for the sin
b. Find a safe group to communicate everything to. (this needs to be a group who 1. depends on God 2. will enter into what you are dealing with and be intensely on your side
b. allow others to share your burden
Ps.
I grew up knowing these principles in Sunday School, yet deeply believing the opposite. Believing lies affects our behaviour. For me, communicating vunerably in a safe group exposed many lies that I had been "believing" deeply.
Thank you :) question answered
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