Day 2 - Deliverance from sin and temptation

The number one thing we will struggle with in our Christian life is sin and temptation. Temptation is the vehicle that drives us to the end of the road which is sin and sin always leads us to a dead end, leaving us crippled to be who we desire to be. Sin entices us, looking like its going to be fun and when we go over to sins house, it beats us down, leaving us broken and ashamed. Sin always promises us a good time, but costs us more that we are willing to pay in the end. So in order for us to grow and become who God has called us to be we have got to overcome sin and temptation in our life.

Jesus was tempted like we are and did not give in, so we have power through the cross to overcome temptation and kick sin in the butt! Paul writes in Romans 7:15-25 about the sinful nature. In all of us there is something inside that pulls us towards sin. Even though we want to do what is right we find ourselves drawn to sin and ultimately falling into it. That is the sinful nature and we have to overcome it.

My favorite scripture in dealing with sin and the sinful nature is Galatians 2:20. Jesus overcame temptation and did not sin, so if we follow Galatians 2:20 we also will follow in his footsteps. This verse is all about the sinful nature dying and Christ coming alive in us. "It is no longer I (my old sinful nature) that lives, but Christ (the power to overcome) that lives in me." You don't have to be a prisoner to sin and temptation any longer. Through the Cross there is freedom.

Here are some ways to overcome sin and temptation in your life:

• Repent for all your past mistakes. Repentance removes the stain of sin in our life, allowing us to get up and walk away.
  
• Pray for it every day. Jesus commanded in his model prayer that we recognize we are tempted and ask God to not let us yield to temptation.
• Pray Galatians 2:20 over your life. Say, "I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer (inert your name) who lives but Christ who lives in me." Everyday you have got to crucify the sinful nature that lives in you. List your weaknesses by name. I crucify anger, I crucify lust, I crucify gossip, I crucify depression, etc...
  
• Flee temptation! Don't walk right up to temptation, give it a shove and ask it show me what you've got. You will get knocked down! Instead run from it. Don't put yourself in places you could be tempted.
  
• Believe the promise that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what He has given you the strength to handle and He makes a way out. (1 Cor. 10:13)
• Receive forgiveness for your past mistakes and don't allow guilt or condemnation to drag you back into your former state.