Overcoming Sin

Millions of professed Christians have tried to overcome sin in their lives and have failed. They have prayed to God for victory and have wished for perfection for years and have put out some efforts to it also, and finally, they come to the end of their lives and are still wishing for the victory which they never gained.

What went wrong? One visiting the church regularly, paying tithes and offerings following healthful living, reading Bible and praying to God, yet to be lost in the end. Because of some sin in their lives that they did not overcome or some duty that they did not fulfill.

The Pharisees seemed very faithful in their obedience to the laws and ceremonies. They fasted twice a week; every Monday and Thursday, They paid tithes from the mint and cumin; they gave money to the poor and did missionary work regularly. Yet Jesus called them “the children of the devil”, and said, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:20

“The Bible teaches that every besetting sin must be put away, that the warfare against evil must be waged until every wrong is overcome..” C.T 448

“We must aim at this perfection and overcome as He overcame, if we would have a seat at His right hand.” Test Vol. 3 p. 336

Jesus said, “‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt 26:41

When a person is converted his mind and heart are changed, but the flesh is not. Now begins the war against the fleshly lusts. The appetite, the lust of the eyes and the desires of the sinful flesh must be subdued and brought into the control of the mind. And this is where many fail and lose their salvation.

“The lower passions have their seat in the body and work through it. The words “flesh” or “fleshly” or “carnal lusts” embrace the lower, corrupt nature; the flesh of itself cannot act contrary to the will of God. We are commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No; but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled, Every thought is to be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. All animal propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul. The love of God must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our bodies are to be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of the body are to become the instruments of righteousness.” A. H. 127-128

There are great sins that people commit. Also there are bad habits which have been practiced for many years. Then there are also little sins which seem too small to many to pay attention to them. They think that they would not lose heaven for such trivial little sins. But the sin of Adam and Eve which seem small to many yet surely had terrible consequences.

“Sin, however small it may be esteemed, can be indulged in only at the peril of infinite loss.” S.c. p. 33

Many will be out of heaven for sins they thought too small to pay attention to. One sin indulged leads us to another sin, and next come greater sins and finally Satan takes over the whole being”

Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10

This gives us hope for the complete victory over sin. If we are faithful in the small things of the law we will be faithful in greater things also.

This also explains why some have not overcome the great sins in their lives; it is because they have neglected the little sins. Sins that they think that they can put away anytime, since they are so small; yet by practicing them they fail to overcome the greater sins.

It is good to examine ourselves and make a list of all sins in our lives, even the smallest ones and then begin from the small ones and fight against them until you have gained the victory over them. Then the greater sins will follow and finally we gain victory over every besetting sin.

There is no easy way to overcome sin. It is a daily battle to keep us in obedience to God. To control the desires of our body.

“It will cost us an effort to secure eternal life; It is only by long and persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict that we shall be overcomers. But if we patiently and determinedly in the name of the Conqueror who overcame in our behalf in the wilderness of temptation, overcome as He overcame, we shall have the eternal reward. Our efforts, our self-denial, our perseverance, must be proportionate to the – infinite value of the object of which we are in pursuit.” Test. Vol. 3 p. 324 – 325

“Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie.” Test. Vol. 4 p. 494

It is better to pluck out the right eye or cut off the right hand than to sin. If we would only understand the terrible evil nature of sin, we would put out greater efforts to overcome it.

To practice known sins grieves the Holy Spirit and there is a danger of crossing the line of no return. Many professed Christians have committed sins against the Holy Spirit and lost their chance of salvation forever.

But we don’t need to despair. The victory over sin is possible to every person; even children can be victorious. Humanly it cannot be done, but with the help of God a sinless life is possible..

“Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. . . Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain victory. He had kept His Father’s commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.” G. C. 623

The standard is high. The sin must be overcome. The sooner we gain victory over every sin, the sooner the Lord will come.

Fasting and constant prayer are mediums for the victory. Missionary work will help us to overcome. By saving others we save ourselves. Sacrificing for the cause of God will benefit us spiritually. Attending every religious meeting whenever possible will give us greater knowledge of salvation.

Finally when you have gained the victory over sin, you can teach others how to do it. Your example will lead others to follow you to perfection.

May the Lord help us all in this is my wish and prayer.
AMEN