Being Overcomers in Christ
When we have sinned and have come under conviction for that sin, being honest with ourselves and with God is so important. But there is hope even before a sin is committed, and we need to understand this because it is indeed a battle between the flesh and spirit, and God's word gives us the instruction that we need to be overcomers.
Before a sin is committed we have a choice and we can easily look at the circumstances surrounding what we choose and make excuses can justify our sin even before we follow through with it.
A Biblical Example
Before Cain slew Abel, God confronted him. He was angry and already justifying his anger towards his brother.
Genesis 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
When we get so caught up in resentment and anger towards another, or even in circumstances that seem to be our of our control, and when we allow it to fester, the end result is sin.
James shows us how this works:
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(Some versions use the word "desire," rather than lust in that verse.) Just like Eve looked upon the fruit and saw that it was desirable to eat in Genesis.)
Paul gave the solution to this when he wrote this:
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
A self-centered heart can rule a person, (and we can slip into a self-centered mode.) When our own desire overrules God's instruction. It's easy to place the blame on others and point out areas where we've been hurt to justify our actions in our own mind. How often do we stop and examine our own motives? When we are confronted and convicted for our poor actions and choices and make excuses, which allows for blame to pour forth and there is little self-examination. Worse yet, there can be no changes in us if we can't be honest with ourselves and with God.
Back to Cain:
God was right there with Cain and even gave him the opportunity to confess what was in his heart. He could have even asked God to help him overcome his anger, jealousy, and bitterness towards his brother.
God told him exactly what was happening . Cain was being tested. Look what God said to him before he slew his brother.
Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Instead of "ruling" over sin he followed through with his own desire, as we know.
When our hearts overrule the knowledge of God, and when we lack the faith and the understanding that we can overcome in Christ. If our desires are more set on the flesh rather than being pleasing to God and being spirit focused we, like Cain, will slip and fall.
The flesh battles against spirit as Paul explained, but if we be in Christ, and we apply His instruction to any given situation, we will indeed overcome by Him, with Him, through Him and because of HIM.
Real faith requires action.
Practicing faith helps us grow in it.
Paul used his own example to encourage others:
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
(A study on my blog from 5-6-14) MyBlog