|
| Practical advice to kick habitual sin |
|
| |
Many, many folks fight with habitual sin on a daily basis. The defeat they feel typically drives them away from the Lord, leaving them to question God and their faith. For many years I too battled habitual sins and deeply ingrained patterns of sinful thought, questioning my salvation in the process. (And rightly so – see Phil 2:12-13 and 2 Pet 1:10-11.) Well, as it turns out, defeating sin was actually pretty simple once I discovered how!! The secret? Refuse to retreat from God in guilt, and instead run to God when you fail. In fact, run to Him when you succeed as well. Heck, just run to Him, period. When you wake up, during the day, in the evening, alone, with family & friends – just run to Him! There really was nothing magical about eliminating habitual sins from my life. Once I resolved to spend time with God daily, primarily by beginning each day with an hour or so of Bible reading and prayer, I realized He was with me the rest of the day as well, and I could say the desire to think/do sin gradually faded away, or I could say that God reached into my life and removed it. Either way, I now walk closely with Him everyday, my life having been totally transformed. Amen? Amen! So let today be the day you begin to form a new habit – run to God! They say it takes around 30 days to form a habit, so resolve for 30 days to run to God every morning, and see how your life begins to change! The song whose lyrics are below inspired this blog. God’s grace to you today and every day! ~mike I Keep On Running (by The Kry) been through the fire
and through the pouring rain
my true desire
a Holy flame
from the morning light
to the midnight sun
not gonna give up
till the race is won
Chorus:
i keep on running
and i keep on running
running to You
some will stand
some will fall
down by the way side
some leave the call
i won't turn my back
nor turn away
my eyes on Jesus
'till my dying day
Repeat chorus
when life is over
if i endure
don't run for nothing
my hope is sure
if i don't loose heart
and i don't loose faith
i'm not gonna slow down!
till i see His face
Repeat chorus
on and on and on
i keep on running
on and on and on
i keep on running
(1 Cor 9:24-27) |
|
| To add a comment to "Practical advice to kick habitual sin" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| March 09, 2007 |
 |
|
|
| Since I am not a morning person, I spend my time at night. Whatever your time is, do it...seek His face. I don't understand how anyone can get by in their Christian walk without time with God. I have meet a lot of Christians who say they never read the Bible. Would you only eat one meal a week? Drink one glass of water? Well then taste and see that the Lord is good! Drink from the well that never goes dry. Feast on the Bread of Life and you will never go hungry. (Hey, no calories either :) |
|
|
| March 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Well said faithful servant of our Almighty Father. Run strong and in the right direction. |
|
|
| March 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
Whoops...the well said was for Mike's blog :-) Hi Sue!!! How's Florida? |
|
|
| March 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Sue, you're making me hungry. :-) |
|
|
| March 09, 2007 |
|
|
|
Few things kick my behind more than getting up early! But I determined to meet with God at the most difficult time of the day for me, which is in the morning, both as a means of sacrifice and in order to start the day with Him. The morning time is so quiet, and that is when I seem to do my best thinking. For me it was absolutely life changing. I just wish my parents had impressed this on me when I was young. (Ah, I sense another blog topic there...) But you're right too Sue, rather than get legalistic about when you do it, the most important thing is that you do it. Every day! ~mike |
|
|
| March 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Awesome blog Bro! We all need reminding of this from time to time. Mark <>< |
|
|
| March 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
| So True, Thanks Mike. Blessings |
|
|
| March 15, 2007 |
|
|
|
There is a great website for those struggling to overcome some habitual sins, like smoking tobacco, alcohol, pornography, overeating, etc. Their unique approach to overcoming any habitual sin is to focus daily on Jesus Christ, the glory of the Father. www.SettingCaptivesFree.com |
|
|
| March 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
I can really appreciate this blog! for the ones who have a dealing with this. And even the sins that we as Christians who attend church faithfully and practice all of the "churchy iteniary" It's not about being perfect it about. Confessing your sins to God and to one another. Another brother/sister in Christ can and will be able to help you be accountable. This is where the scripture comes in as "am i my brother keeper" the answer is: YES! YES! I thank God for my brother and sisters in Christ. And my Pastors whom i can go to about anything! yes i said anything! I also #1 thank God for the Holy Spirit which convicts and leads into all truths He directs me and pulls me away from stupid tricks of the enemy. But to God be the glory!
God bless (ysic) Sis Cynthia |
|
|
| March 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Excellent counsel, Mike. Sometimes we get so busy trying to serve Him that we lose sight of the fact that we need to 'refuel'. We can't serve Him when our spirit is running on empty. I want to stay 'tanked up' on Jesus so that I can withstand all the fiery darts that the enemy throws my way. Blessings in the matchless name of Jesus! -- Linda <>< |
|
|
| March 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Cathy, you are a nut...jst jkng. Mike...this blog should come with a theme song...like eye of the tiger...whoops, it did. Anyways...you are correct. Add to that james 5...confess...to one another and PRAY for eachother that you may be HEALED. I imagine their would be a great many more Christians walking in freedom if they were to stop fighting alone as well. Some weaknesses won't be defeated in private...in my experience. For freedom in Christ, we must follow His plan... |
|
|
| March 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Thank you all, and WYP you hit on something very important -- accountability. It is extremely helpful in keeping the committed Christian on the right track. Ah, the words "committed Christian," that's the key to accountability working. We have to surrender to the Lord's correction first. Once I decided to continually run to the Lord, accountability has been an invaluable ingredient in my Christian walk! ~Grace, mike |
|
|
| March 22, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Awesome post... you got my star!!! |
|
|
| August 26, 2007 |
|
|
|
Now, this is so nice. I am liking this a lot.
Great advice hear, Mike.
If we stay in His presence and in His Word chances are slim to non that you would sin again.
think about it.
JR |
|
|
| August 26, 2007 |
|
|
|
Mike,
Once again you have written a blog for the Christians of today. Many men and women deal with habitual sins and they continue to go through life with a defeated attitude. I will even be honest to say that tonight as I logged on to my computer the thought of sinning crossed my mind; however when I saw that I had a few comments and messages here on MyChurch, these thoughts vanished and the desire left. For me, the more I spend time with God, the less I desire the sin. I still have not began to spend time with Him in the morning as I know I should, but that is on the horizon just as the sun will rise in the morning.
Again, thanks my friend. |
|
|
| October 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
Hmm.... As someone whose going through 12 step, I have to say there are some situations where "reading your bible and praying" just don't cover it. Not that this isn't relevant, though. The 11th step, as per AA is: "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry that out." For an addict, thought, there's a good reason the 11th step comes after 1 - 10. |
|
|
| October 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Thanks Jess. Certain cases of addictive behaviors are definitely beyond my limited counsel, but never beyond God's abilities to free someone. |
|
|
| October 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Amen and amen! I like Jesus, He's a keeper! |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Are you trying to tell me to RUN? Good word Mike. I am struggling with an addiction right now. It has been so hard to break free of. I know that with God all things are possible to him who believes. I am seeking His Face, and I know that He is Faithful to perform His Word. Thanks you get double stars for this one. By the way, I got alot from the link posted by Jonathan T...Blessings Mike! |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thanks LaTonya! I've passed links to this blog around to quite a few people! |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
LaTonya, I have completed several of the programs offered on SettingCaptivesFree.com including The Lord's Table. It is a wonderful Christian Bible-Based program for many forms of bondage for adults and teens too.
Obviously I fully support their efforts and applaud the many graduates that stay in the program as mentors and volunteers.
However, I also fully recommend working through addictions/bondages with someone local that you can meet with face to face. Usually your Pastor or Counselor can help you make contact with the appropriate groups/meetings to get started. |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thanks Jonathan for the direction. I have spoke with my Pastors about this, but and please don't take this the wrong way, I feel very judged. I love them, and it is probably my own guilt and condemnation, but it really does push me away. I will pursuit this though. God bless you! |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
| JONATHAN, HOW ARE YOU????? |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
I'm doing pretty good Mike. Starting a new business, so I'm very busy. My foot is almost completely healed after 8 years. Vicki got approved for Social Security Disability!!!!!
LaTonya, if you would like, you can contact me to discuss this more personally. My wife and I are Certified Christian Counselors, and although I'm not offering direct assistance, maybe we can help you find a local resource that would be beneficial.
As for your Pastor, I understand completely. My Pastor, Steve Barley, is a wonderful man with a big heart. He only has one downfall - he has never tasted strong drink, never smoked, never went bar-hopping or womanizing. In short, he has no idea what my life has been like or how it continues to affect me today, even though I'm saved and sanctified. Why? Because he doesn't understand the nature of addiction and/or bondage. He's never been afflicted with it.
So when it came to issues of addiction or bondage, I go get help from those that have overcome and continue to overcome and live holy. These are the winners. |
|
|
| May 05, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Sounds great, Jonathan! Hey, thanks for the response. Dude - you and Vicki still come up on our prayer list from time to time..YES, you guys are still on it. I think I've sent you a message or two in the past 6 months looking for updates....pretty sure, though maybe not? Important thing is you guys are doing well, and I couldn't be happier for ya. |
|
|
Follow this blog
