Ruling Over Our Sin pt.1

The Christian Life

Ruling Over Our Sin

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

• 1 Peter 5:8

“Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

• Genesis 4:7

In the beginning, Adam trusted and obeyed God. He was pure in thought, word, and deed. He enjoyed the great benefits and joy of a relationship with his Creator. On the day he was tempted and disobeyed God, he ate of the forbidden fruit. Where unending life, love, peace, and security had been, now fear, unrest, and death came. Man became sinful. He was barred from Paradise and separated from God. (Genesis 3)

Sin is the great deceiver and destroyer of mankind. Our sin is what separates us from God and from each other. It is active and tempts us daily to ignore God’s good commands and live any way we please, in spite of the consequences. Many times we sacrifice doing right, to satisfy sin. Sin usually takes us farther than we intended to go, keeps us longer than we intended to stay, and costs more than we intended to pay. Romans 6:20-23 tells us we are slaves to sin before coming to Jesus. We are sinful by nature. Most people would freely admit that they are not perfect, which is true, but unfortunately, we’re alright with that. But God is NOT alright with it. He says we must rule over our sin. The implication is that while sin still exists in us, it no longer is to dominate us. Through Christ, we can say NO, and mean it.

1 Corinthians 15:7 “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When you trust in Jesus not only is your sin debt removed but you are given a new nature through the Holy Spirit. You are no longer a slave to sin. The reason Matthew 5:5 says “blessed are the poor in spirit” and “blessed are they that mourn” is because heartfelt grief and sorrow over our sin (new nature) is the necessary motivation empowering us to say no to sin and obey Christ. Our new nature desires righteousness.

But what about when we fail? 1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Even when we repent and trust in Jesus, sinful temptations will still come. Heartfelt confession brings forgiveness and, if heartfelt, a willingness to change. Hebrews 12:1 says to “run with endurance”. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we’re told to “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. Sin begins in the mind. Our thoughts must be guarded closely and sin plucked out. In our new nature, we are willing to devise a battle plan to conquer sin and fight for righteousness.

Do you have a plan to rule over your sin? Have you committed to Jesus, His Church, and to study His word? Have you committed to prayer? Jesus said “all who come to me I will surely not reject” (John 6:37).

Come!

Colby Reeves - member

Evangel Church PCA Alabaster, AL
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Evangelchurchpca.org