James 1:13-16 – The Defeat of Sin – Bible study

James 1:13-16 The Defeat of Sin Tonight, I would like to preach the follow-up message to the topic that I preached on this morning. \See 2010Notes on "2Samuel 11:2"\ This morning, I preached on The Dangers of Sin. Tonight, I would like to preach on the topic, The Defeat of Sin. Might I say at the beginning, 1. I well understand how difficult it is to stop sinning. a. The fact that I am preaching this message does not mean that I have stopped sinning. b. Personally, I dont think we can stop sinning in this flesh. c. I would tell those who think they have that they are proud and that thinking they have is itself a sin. 2. However, with the Lords help, there is no sin that we can not control. Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 3. We may never live sinless in this flesh, but we do not have to live a life of defeat to any particular sin. In preaching the message this morning, I hoped to stir within you a desire to conquer the individual sins of your life by showing you some of the dangers involved in sin. Tonight, let me encourage you and help you lay those sins down. I. Each Christian Should Have Five Ready Sources of Power in Defeating Sin. A. The first three are inseparable; that is, if you get the first power, you will have the other two as well. 1. The power of salvation John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 2. The power of the Word of God. Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 3. The power of the Holy Ghost. John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: B. The other two are badly needed in the life of every believer, but some do not take full advantage of them. 1. The power of a holy church. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: a. The power of a good church is the power of good peers. b. We all know how powerful peer pressure can be in leading us down the wrong path. Why is it so hard to see the power of peer pressure in leading us down the right one? 2. The power of service. a. The power of service is the power of a higher calling. 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. b. The desires to please God, to lead by example, to have the power of God on your life, to see souls saved, to be obedient to Scripture these all help us in defeating the sins of our life. II. Give you some practical advice on defeating sin. A. Truly binding sin has its source in one or more of these three areas: 1. The world, flesh, devil. 2. Each level is increasing harder to deal with. a. If your problem is rooted in the world, you can fairly easily deal with it. (1) You get aggravated at the traffic around Christmas time. (2) Dont go out. b. If your problem is rooted in the flesh, it become more difficult. (1) You are short tempered. (2) Staying in wont stop that. It is more difficult to learn control. c. If your problem is rooted in the devil, it comes very difficult. (1) The devil is afflicting you with rage, lust, depression, or sickness. (2) Now we have an outside force effecting you. 3. There is victory in every area of sin. a. You can get victory over the world by separating from it. b. You can get victory over the flesh by conforming it. c. You can get victory over the devil by praying and applying the Word of God for it. 4. Each level upward requires more determination, more dedication, and more time. B. All binding sins indicate some internal weakness, some problem within our own flesh. James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 1. If we were perfect Christians, we could walk into the very den of iniquity and never feel the slightest temptation to do wrong. 2. But none of us are! 3. No matter where else the problem is originating from, we must admit that our temptation to it is OUR problem. 4. We can not always control the world around us, but we can work on controlling ourselves. 5. There are two ways in which we can learn to control our own weakness. a. We can control lust by having a stronger desire for something better. (1) Some alcoholics and drug addicts have given up their habit because they wanted their health or family or self- respect or freedom more. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (2) Gods challenge is not to love Him more but to love Him the MOST. b. We can control lusts by making ourselves accountable. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (1) Here is where we hit a snag. (a) We dont want anybody to know that we have a problem. i. Our pride tells us that they will think less of us if they knew who we really were. ii. If the person we confide in does think less of us, they were the simply the wrong person to confide in. iii. If you want to test them, start by telling them something smaller and work your way up as you see they are a true Christian friend. (2) Changes of getting victory over a binding sin are greatly reduced if you go it alone. (3) In fact, it may never happen. C. The problem gets worse in that some binding sins are set off by outside influences. 1. We would call that the world. 2. Controlling your lust does not necessary mean eliminating it. 3. If it is an outside or worldly influence, you must eliminate your exposure to it. 4. You do this by removing temptations and opportunities. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. a. People who are heavily addicted to smoking many times quit smoking for days or weeks while in the hospital. b. Many drug addicts stay clean while in jail. c. Why? They had no temptation or opportunity! d. If you are wrestling with a sinful habit, make yourself a small box to live in but keep it out! D. All binding sins have a spiritual dimension. 1. Realize these are spiritual battles. a. We are not talking about bad habits here but sinful habits. b. Bad habits – picking your teeth, belching at the table, leaving your dirty cloths on the floor. c. Sinful habits – drinking, smoking, cussing, pornography, laziness, temper, jealousy, laying out on Sunday. d. What is the difference? The devil doesnt care whether you pick up your dirty clothes are not, but he will work to keep you in bondage to sin! 2. Spiritual sins must be defeated by spiritual means. 2Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; 3. We are not talking about turning to a higher power. 4. We are talking about turning to Christ, His Word, and the powers that He has made available to us. 5. Spiritual battles must be won by spiritual means. a. Prayer is a spiritual power. b. Fasting is a spiritual power. c. Praising is a spiritual power. d. Memorizing Scripture is a spiritual power. e. Witnessing to others is a spiritual power. f. Worship is a spiritual power. g. Believing and exercising your faith is a spiritual power. E. Strengthen your resolve. 1. You can be victorious over sin. a. It wont be easy and you may slip from time to time. b. Dont quit! 2Thess 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. Isaiah 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 2. Have the attitude that something is going to fall and it is not going to be you. a. Our attitude toward sin must be that we are going to get the victory or we are going to die trying. Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. b. This is war. c. It is you against your own sinful flesh, the world, and the devil. d. But you and I have Jesus. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Will you declare war on sin tonight? Will you quit letting sin defeat you? Whatever the devil has used to bind you and keep you in check, you can defeat it if you use the power that God has made available to you.