Christian Churches of God
No. 11z
Summary:
Steps to Overcoming Sin
(Edition 2.0 19940402-19970301)
This paper analyses ways to overcome sin and win the battle against the lusts of our own flesh and
Satan, the ruler of this world.
Christian Churches of God
PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright  1994, 1997 Wade Cox)
(Summary by Donovan Schricker, Ed. Wade Cox)
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Summary: Steps to Overcoming Sin
Steps to Overcoming Sin
Each Passover season, we reflect on the exodus
of Israel from Egypt. God brought Israel out with
a high hand. God knew Pharaoh and his army
would come after Israel (Ex. 14:1-13).
Paul summarises the next 40 years of Israel’s
wanderings in 1Corinthians 10:1-10. Israel’s
departure from Egypt was a type of our departure
from sin and the system of this world. Pharaoh
was a type of Satan. In fact, he was Satan’s
pawn. After Israel left Egypt Pharaoh pursued
them, but God destroyed Pharaoh’s army in the
Red Sea. God took Israel out of Egypt, but He
didn’t take Egypt (sin) out of Israel. Egypt was
still in their minds because Satan kept urging and
prodding them to sin. This was so even after they
had been “baptised” in the Red Sea.
As Pharaoh pursued Israel, so “sin” will pursue
us. God conquered Pharaoh, but He let Satan
continue on in the background and so feed this
“mind of Egypt” which was still in Israel.
Sin is not just the transgressing of God’s law.
Rather, sin is a living and dynamic power, a
force resident in human nature. Paul described it
as a law (Rom 7:21-23).
When we are baptised, our lives are regarded as
unleavened by God (1Cor. 5:7) and He gives us
the new leaven of His spirit. This leaven should
grow and multiply within us. The spores of sin
should not be allowed to multiply and spread in
our lives.
Satan broadcasts the thoughts, attitudes, lusts and
temptations that arouse us to transgress God’s
laws and so we sin (Eph. 2:2). We are engaged in
a battle against sin on two fronts; against the
lusts of our own flesh and the author of sin,
Satan the devil.
So, we have within us two natures – the divine
nature of God imparted by the spirit of God,
which wants to obey God’s law, and the sinful
nature we originally acquired from Satan. These
coexist side by side within us, but they are in
opposition to one another (Rom. 7:7-25; Gal
5:17).
We should look at ways to “feed the spiritual
nature.”
Study the Bible so whenever we are challenged
to sin in thought or deed, we instantly have an
answer from the Bible to combat the temptation.
The Bible is described as the sword of the spirit
or spiritual nature God is developing in us. It is
our first weapon in battle (Eph. 6:17).
Pray to God about everything (Eph. 6:18; Phil.
4:6; Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2; 1Pet. 4:7). The spirit
of God comes from the Father (Jn. 14:16,26;
15:26). It is only by spending time with God our
Father in prayer that we receive more of His
spirit.
Meditate on the Bible, so we can become wiser
than the sinful nature within us and its instigator,
Satan. We will come to see how to head him off
at various points when he launches an attack.
Attend Sabbath services regularly, so we can
learn from the messages given. This is a vital aid
in winning the spiritual battle. Elders are charged
with the responsibility of feeding the flock in
their care.
Fellowship with others of like mind is essential
if we are to win the battles against sin. God does
not call Christians in isolation. We are called to
be members of the body of Christ, each member
doing his or her part and collectively working to
build the whole body up in love. Satan’s game
plan would be to isolate us and then hit us when
we are most vulnerable.
Growing in God’s spirit will give us the victory
in overcoming sin and Satan.
We must also work at starving the sinful nature
within us. Consider the following:
Controlling our natural desires: God gave us
Summary: Steps to Overcoming Sin
physical senses to experience and enjoy things.
However, we must control our desires or the
sinful nature will overtake us. We are to enjoy
life, but also live in a moderate and balanced
fashion.
Flee from temptation when it arises. Paul gave
the specific instruction with regard to fornication
in 1Corinthians 6:18 but the principle extends to
every area of life. In Colossians 3:5, Paul makes
clear we ought to put to death what arises from
our sinful nature.
Bring every thought into captivity. This will
require a high degree of discipline on our part.
Only let into our minds what is good and upright
in God’s sight (Phil. 4:8). Satan will be looking
for every opportunity to distract us.
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disposition and have an attitude of compassion
and forgiveness.
Love not the world (1Jn. 2:15-16). This world is
Satan’s playground. It is specifically designed to
draw us away from God with distractions and
clever deceptions.
If we love the world, we are not starving the
sinful nature and will ultimately lose the battle
between the two natures at war within us.
Overcoming requires self-discipline and constant
effort.
If we look to God, and the example Jesus gave
us; if we call upon God for His spirit; if we
support and encourage one another, we will win
the battle.
Controlling our temper: The Bible is clear that
in most cases, anger is a work of the sinful
nature. Anger occurs when we have been
inconvenienced, put out, or offended. However,
there is such a thing as righteous anger (see the
paper Anger (No. 61)).
Anger also leaves the door wide open to Satan to
get in and attack us. We must maintain a steady
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