When You Feel Like Sinning Again, Do This!

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For the most times when the Israelites had run into trouble, the cause of their misfortune had been that they had failed in holding unto their ends of the bargain with God. What I'm saying is that, for each of the time the Israelites were overcome by their enemies, they had ignored, treated with contempt, the commandments God had given to them.

Relating this act of the Israelites with our own recent times now, it is obvious that most of us Christians are also not holding unto our part of the deal.


1 Samuel 13:14-15 NLT
"Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to His voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD'S commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. But if you rebel against the LORD'S commands and refuse to obey him, then His hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors."

Romans 6:12-13 NLT "Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourself completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God."


I really like using myself as an example because it makes learning easier for me.
 For me, as at the point of my conviction (when I genuinely let Jesus take the driver seat of my life), there were some things the Holy Spirit told me to stop doing, some clothes He specifically told me to stop wearing, and readily, I gave them all away. I allowed God do a thorough cleansing of me without qualms.

Fast-forward to recent times, I kind of have a hard time keeping my end of the bargain. For instance, some kind of clothes I know I shouldn't wear, I find myself saying "but it's not that bad, God please allow me wear it". I hope you are getting my point? The Holy Spirit keeps reminding me of the Israelites everytime I try to pick up those things I already let go.

 The Israelites after repentance would pick up thier idols again, offend God again; God would allow their enemies Trump (triumph, I mean) over them so as to teach them a lesson; they would cry out to God in anguish, they would repent again, go back to idolatry again, and the cycle goes on and on again. What this kind of lifestyle births is a life of zero growth, like a child that is not growing.


Well then, what is the solution? What could the Israelites have done to prevent that lifeless myriad?

 BEING A PRAYERFUL CHRISTAN (luke 22:46):
 I found out that whenever I prayed after my ordeals of the "Lord let me do this act just this once ", I come out refreshed. The same vigour I felt when God gave me those instructions then would come rushing back. I tell you, those men of God that you see still holding firmly unto Christ, prayer has been their backbone. Show me a prayerless Christian, and I'd show you a defeated one.


Prayer is the key to sustainance in Christ. Even Jesus prayed, and that's because the world is constantly waging war against our spirits (John 17). The world knows that a Christian is a terror to it, so it tries everything to make us dwindle. Jesus admonished us to watch and pray.


This day, you have heard from God, therefore watch out for those things that tend to draw away your attention from leading a Christ centered life, and pray about them.

May God help us to stand steadfast in the faith without wavering in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Shalom.

Comments

An Envoy Hb said…
Hmmm... Greater Grace sis... The Holy Ghost has confirmed "Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.... " In this article.. God bless you..
16 March 2017 at 22:12
Anonymous said…
Yeah. Prayer is crucial so as not to fall into temptation. Jesus told the disciples to pray not to fall into temptation. He also prayed earnestly when he felt like letting the cup pass over him.
Moreover, we also need to constantly remind ourselves of the truth. We need God's word in our lives. When Christ was tempted in the wilderness, the world of God was a tremendous weapon in his hands. "It is written..."
Ref: Matt 26: 41, 2 pet 1:12
17 March 2017 at 00:25
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