Overcoming Sin, Part 5

Overcoming sin has a practical side. Filling time with fellow believers, especially in acts of service toward others, is key. The old adage, "an idle mind is the devil's workshop," is an adage for a logical reason. Memorizing pertinent scriptures and exercising the discipline to recite them when being tempted to revisit the old pattern helped me. 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 were especially powerful in my circumstance.

However, none of the practical will be effective over the long term, if the biblical revelation of God being a holy God is not accepted as the core reason for seeking to overcome sin--especially sexual sins. There can be no overcoming of sin, if the spiritual truths associated with sin are not embraced.

We do not reject the need for sleep, food, water or excretory function for any reason. We simply accept these drives as necessary for biological life. The sexual drive is a bit more complex since it is a physiological need deeply rooted in our emotional need. Unlike any of the aforementioned biology, the sexual drive may be denied without death occurring as a consequence. So why deny it?

There is no reason for anyone to deny the sexual drive of the human body is the view of most people. After all, it is a biological drive just like eating ... until one considers the words found in the Bible in multiple places regarding sexuality. One interpretation of these references (from my viewpoint the most logical and accurate interpretation) is that the sexual union between man and woman is only authorized by God as occurring within marriage. All other sexual activity is considered sin. Homosexuality is forbidden specifically with no references being found that a committed union may be included in the blessed state of marriage. (That is the subject of the next post.)

Which leads inexorably to denial of all thoughts, desires and decisions around sexual activity outside of marriage. Folks claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior either accept this or rationalize it away.

How is denial of the sexual drive to be accomplished?

Loving God for Who He is, is the motivational spark which lights the will to self-denial. At the beginning of each day if I am not centering my thinking, my emotions and my will on the whole concept of love for God, I have no hope of maintaining any faithfulness to the commands and principles found in the Bible. To love anyone means knowing that person's characteristics and loving the person fully for the whole--sometimes in spite of--these characteristics. Unconditional love.

Not so with God. There is no "in spite of this characteristic" in loving Him. All God's characteristics, which include both His beautiful grace and His perfect judgment may be easily loved. Of all His characteristics, His holiness is the most compelling and inscrutable attribute. It is because of His holiness that His grace and judgment exist. In His holiness is the source both of the blessings' flow and all His commands against some actions labeled sin, which thus carry negative consequences.

I have learned I cannot overcome sin--any kind of sin-- without the loving of God as my motivation. I cannot truly love God for Who He is, if I deny His holiness. I think this is true for all of us.