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.

E-mail: secretary@ccg.org

This paper is available from the World Wide Web page:
http://www.logon.org and http://www.ccg.org

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 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.

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 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.