Text – 1 John 3:9 – “Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”
So far in this series, we have talked about what a believer should do if he makes a mistake by yielding to the flesh. We have also seen the importance of depending on God’s enabling grace and His enabling presence in overcoming sin.
Today as I round off this series, I will talk on the subject of struggling with sinful habits.
If you are genuinely saved Christian, then you will inadvertently really desire to live a holy life. But despite this desire, it is possible that you are still struggling with sinful habits
If you happen to be in this situation, here's a word for you: Don't beat yourself up, but let Jesus help you. Listed below are five things I believe will help you
1. BE REAL WITH GOD
Don’t play hide and seek about your struggles. God knows all about it already, so be very open with him in the place of prayer, tell Him all about your struggles. It’s also very helpful to confide in a mature Christian that you can trust to help you through the process.
2. DON’T BECOME FRUSTRATED OR GROW COMPLACENT
If you happen to make mistakes, pick yourself up again, don't give up on yourself; don’t let setbacks cause you to walk away from Grace or to turn against Truth.
3. DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY TO GET STRONGER
Make sure you take practical steps every day, (no matter how little) to get stronger and go in the right direction. Make decisions that will protect you; take for example if you have an issue with stealing, don’t as much as play with other people’s things without asking their permission; you may end up taking it home!
4. KEEP COOPERATING WITH GOD
Understand that for some people, it takes longer to overcome certain things than for others, but so long as you are trying, so long as you are reaching, so long as you keep depending on God’s enabling grace and His enabling presence; so long as you keep cooperating with God to help you grow, you'll eventually come through!
5. DON’T BE MEAN TO YOURSELF God
loves you, so don’t take out the frustration on yourself, or feel disappointed in yourself. Don’t be yoked with shame and guilt; just keep growing - even if it’s a little step, do it every day - and you’ll eventually come through.
PRAYER
Talk to God about your struggles, and ask Him for grace to overcome. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you wisdom steps to take every day in order to get stronger and go in the right direction.
Image Credit: steven-universe.wikia.com