{"id":1628,"date":"2021-10-05T05:19:08","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T12:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diannebarker.com\/?p=1628"},"modified":"2021-10-05T05:19:08","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T12:19:08","slug":"so-how-are-you-handling-that-besetting-sin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diannebarker.com\/?p=1628","title":{"rendered":"So How Are You Handling that Besetting Sin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is there an area of your life where Satan is too much for you? A besetting sin that repeatedly knocks you off your feet? A habit you\u2019ve given to the Lord yet still wrestle to overcome?<\/p>\n

What\u2019s its name? Greed. Gluttony. Pride. Strife. Anger. Fear. Corrupt communication. Negative thinking. Bitterness. Lust. Unforgiveness. Addiction.<\/p>\n

I read this in my daily devotional, Streams in the Desert<\/em>. \u201cGo right ahead and leave no Jericho behind you unconquered and no place where Satan may say that he was too much for you\u201d (A.B. Simpson, June 18).<\/p>\n

You remember Jericho, where the walls came tumbling down. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years because of their doubt and disobedience, the Israelites prepared to enter the land of promise. But there were enemies to subdue.<\/p>\n

When they came to Jericho, the Lord told the new leader, Joshua, \u201cI have delivered Jericho into your hands.\u201d That was before it actually happened, meaning it was a done deal. His instructions: \u201cMarch around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in\u201d (Joshua 6:2-5 NIV).<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what they did and that\u2019s what happened. God gave the victory. All that was required of the Israelites was obedience.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk more about that besetting<\/em> sin.<\/p>\n

Of course, I\u2019m thinking about Hebrews 12:1-2. \u201cWherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the King James Version. The New International says \u201cthe sin that so easily entangles.\u201d The Amplified Bible says \u201cthat sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of us understand that all too well. Despite our determination and resistance, we continue to be entangled, often giving in, which always ends in regret and self-bashing. I thought the problem was my<\/em> clinging to the habit I so want to forsake. The Amplified Bible gave an interesting perspective\u2014the sin clings to me<\/em> and entangles me.<\/p>\n

Not trying to avoid responsibility here, but that gave me a better understanding of what\u2019s going on. I want to lay aside the sin that so easily besets me, but it clings to me. The enemy stays close, waiting for an opportunity to tempt, entice, and overwhelm me. Do I have any hope?<\/p>\n

God said he would fight for us. We need to let him. \u201cThe Lord will fight for you; you need only to keep still\u201d (Exodus 14:14 NIV).<\/p>\n

The problem with relinquishing our sin is that we do not hate it. We love it. Crave it. Nourish it. We defend it. We insist we\u2019re doing everything we<\/em> can to conquer it. We hope to get it under control. What we need to do is get rid of it. And that requires a power greater than our own\u2014God Almighty.<\/p>\nThe problem with relinquishing our sin is that we do not hate it. We love it. Crave it. Nourish it. We defend it. We insist we\u2019re doing everything we can to conquer it. We hope to get it under control. What we need to do is get rid\u2026 <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span>\n

What if Jesus spoke into your situation saying, \u201cYou no longer have the option of indulging. Choose. Your sin or me.\u201d That would get my attention.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s pretty much what he was talking about in Matthew 6:24. \u201cNo man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.\u201d<\/p>\n

He calls for total surrender, putting everything into his capable hands.<\/p>\n

Romans 6 teaches that we who belong to Christ are dead to sin. \u201cWhat shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?\u201d (Romans 6:1-2).<\/p>\n

Listen up. \u201cBut now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?\u201d (Galatians 4:9).<\/p>\n

Are you in bondage? These steps will access the incredible power of God that he\u2019s made available to us:<\/p>\n