The Fight with the Flesh [Part 2]
How To Conquer Habitual Sins
Problem Solving Sermon
Romans 8:1-17
Introduction
In case you missed last week I am concluding a two part message on the Fight with the Flesh.
Last week we defined our battle with the flesh as All the habit patterns that we have developed over the years to meet our needs out of our own resources. It is the Self-Life.
We looked at what it means to “live by the Flesh” and “How difficult it is to deal with the Flesh”
t.s. But this morning I want to show you How To Fight The Flesh and Overcome Sin Tendencies in our life.
The 8th Chapter of Romans tells us how
Lets read the text as a whole first -
Main Idea [ Message in a Nut Shell]
Romans 8 is the “Declaration of Freedom” Chapter for us in the Bible and Gods Word here declares the Christians Security in Christ.
As we study this chapter the next number of Sunday’s – we will discover that the emphasis is upon the Holy Spirit, who is mentioned 19 times.
So, it stands to reason, that in order to live a life free from old habit patterns and sins that try to enslave us – We must have a dependence upon the Ministry of the Holy Spirit who was sent by Jesus to help us live a overcoming life.
II Cor 3:17 tells us “ Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!”
Subject: So what we are looking into this morning is HOW WE CAN WALK IN DAILY FREEDOM FROM SINFUL HABIT PATTERNS OR BENTS BY DEPENDING UPON THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
[ Understanding Sequence ]
Q – Why is it a problem for us to gain victory over various sin bents we might have?
A – The answer invariably lies in one word CONTROL – who do we want to be in control of our life.
We really only have 3 options in this area: God – Ourselves – Satan
We choose who will be in control over our Mind – Will and Emotions by the daily seemingly insignificant decisions we make.
How Can I Overcome Sin Tendencies in My Life?
Whether its Worry, Fear, Lust, Overspending, Anger, Control, Doubts about God or the like…Romans 8 shows us Steps we can take to break our Sin Bents.
· Step One – Don’t Allow Your Habits to Direct You Anymore Romans 1:1
[Amp] “ And walk not after the dictates of the Flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.”
· The word picture Paul uses here is that of a commanding officer. Our flesh, our old habits would try to dictate to us to follow in the old patterns that only led into defeat but here we are told to not walk after those commands – rather to allow the Holy Spirit to direct us.
Just How do we do that?
When we notice that we are beginning to live according to the old habit patterns we have developed, in dealing with our problems – We need to STOP and listen for the voice of God and quiet ourselves.
Now – the Flesh doesn’t like this. It takes patience and trust and endurance to stop and listen to God.
Your flesh will scream out “ We have got to do something! – Now!” But you will never hear Gods voice when your listening to your own thoughts.
The First Step to Hearing From Gods Holy Spirit is to Quiet Ourselves to Listen.
This means that we must quiet our flesh – our tendencies to try to solve everything our way and not get ahead of Gods leading.
Don’t allow your old habits to direct you anymore – begin to listen to Gods voice when He speaks
· Step Two – Stay in Step with the Holy Spirit [ v 4 ]
How Do I Stay in Step With the Spirit?
· Galations 5:25 “Since we live by the Spirit let us stay in Step with the Spirit” [ NIV]
We stay in step with the Holy Spirit when we make a willful choice to do things Gods way and not our way.
I guarantee – there will be times that this will cause inner conflict because the Holy Spirit will do things different then our old habit patterns.
Why? Because when God does something in our lives He makes it clear that the answer come to us in a way that we know IT CAN ONLY BE GOD! So God gets the glory.
· We stay in step with the Spirit by applying a little known principle found in Eph 4 (take a look – the Lord showed me this principle in my devotions one day)
· Ephesians 4:3 3 _ Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.
· How do we keep ourselves united in the Holy Spirit? (ask the congregation)
To Unite (according to Webster) means to join together – to become bound together. Marriage is a good example of this.
We stay in Step with the Holy Spirit when we make the decision to daily unite with God in prayer and devotions.
It means to start your day with your Mind – Will and Emotions submitted to the Lord. Completely yielding your thoughts and attitudes to the Lord – Walking with God.
· Step Three – is found in verses 5-6 Get Rid of Stinkin Thinkin’
I’m talking about allowing the flesh to control your mind.
· Stinkin’ Thinkin’ would include negative thoughts about yourself and others, critical thoughts, judgmental thoughts, anxious thoughts, lustful fantasies, impure thoughts, vengeful thoughts …and so on.
The Bible tells us how to get rid of Stinkin Thinkin:
· Romans 12:2 2 _ Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
Until we learn to renew our minds and allow God to help us change our way of thinking – we will never really know Gods will for our life.
God begins the work of changing us into the image of His Son by speaking to us by His Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of God speaks – and we learn to listen – then we will begin to change the way we think. We will begin to make decisions based on Gods Will and not our old habit patterns. It is then that the Bible says we will know just how perfect Gods will for us really is – by experience!
· How do I change from Stinkin” Thinkin’ to God Pleasen’ Thoughts?
Again – Gods Word tells us how to Renew our Minds:
· Phil 4:8 gives us the answer: PHP 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
· Here is a truth: How We Think Shapes our Mind-Will-Emotions…our Character
Think on lies – begin to believe lies!
Think dishonoring thought – reap dishonoring actions
Think on impure thoughts – begin to live an impure life
Think on Gods Truth – His Promises Begin to Believe in Gods Power!
Think honoring thoughts – Transform your marriage!
Think Pure Thoughts – Live free from sexual addiction
· Jesus said “ As a man thinks in his heart – so is he”
Each day ask the Lord to reveal your Stinkin Thinkin and Set Your Mind Upon the Spirit – Those old Sin Bents (Over Time) will disappear.
Remember verse 6 “ But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and Peace.
· Step 4 – Learn to Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit [ v12-14]
· [v12] Paul tells us a truth: We are under no obligation whatsoever to do what our Old Patterns dictate to us what we should do.
If your addicted to smoking – The Bible says your under no obligation to smoke – you can dictate to your flesh and tell it “No”
If you have a habitual pattern of being addicted to pornography and the sexual urges just seem to overwhelming so that you want to give in – You are under no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do!
If your Sin bent is Anger and you just always seem to blow up! And you cannot “control yourself” Your under no obligation to your emotions – You don’t have to be a slave to your outbursts –
I know what some of you are thinking right now “ Oh yeah Sure! If only it was that easy! I’ve tried and tried.
That’s the Problem!
You have tried it in your own power!
Look at verse 13….
· But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it…
Now, by whose power are we able to turn from Habitual Sins?……eh?
Jesus, upon leaving this earth told us, his disciples that there is a better way then “trying” to break the cycle of habitual sins based on our own effort.
He said He would provide us the power we need to live in purity and holiness.
· Remember, I have told you about this before. 5 _ John baptized with£ water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
· 8 _ But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power
Now…that power is not only in Christian Witness…but the Holy Spirits power is available to help the believer live a overcoming life!
The very power that shaped the heavens and earth – the power of God! Is able to empower you to live victoriously above the dictates of the flesh!
Stop trying in your own power and performance
Start living in the power of the Holy Spirit
How important is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in helping us to live above old habit patterns?
It is interesting to note that the last words of Jesus (according to Luke’s Gospel) tells us the importance Jesus placed on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:49 “ And now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit then is vital in the Christian’s life if we are to learn to walk in the Spirits power!
Note: It is not my intention in this message to preach on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit – that’s a whole different sermon – but you need the Spirits power to enable you to turn from Habitual Sins. I want to make available to you a study that will teach you the importance of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit – just see me after the service and I’ll give it to you.
But the fact remains Jesus told us the importance of living in the power of the Holy Spirit
“ For apart from Me – you can do nothing”
Conclusion:
In closing – lets review the steps that will enable the believer to overcome habitual sin patterns and old habits of the flesh
· Don’t allow your habits to direct you anymore [v1]
· Stay in Step with the Holy Spirit [v4]
· Get Rid of Stinkin’ Thinkin’ [v5-6]
· Learn to Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit [v12-14]
Remember the issue is CONTROL. Who are you going to allow Lordship of your life? Jesus? – Yourself? – or Satan?
Only One gives life and peace.
Lets pray
