First, we must look at what the Bible has to say on this subject.
How does the Father view us?
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)
So then...
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)
The work/our effort:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Our calling...
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:4, 5)
The problem with simply focusing in on behavioral management without pursuing a filling of the Holy Spirit:
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)
We are not a defeated people! There's nothing in us which is too ugly or broken for Jesus. Yes we need to do whatever we can to move away from any sin especially footholds and strongholds (these are areas which are routine sin struggles in our lives).
Practical steps:
1. Be honest with yourself and others. What sets the stage for the triggers which lead to the sin which so easily entangles? Is it anxiety, depression, anger or something else? What are the triggers? A person, a TV show, a video game, a website, something else?
2. What can we do?
No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. (Genesis 39:9, 12)
Our response needs to be drastic. If we're feeling depressed or anxious or whatever sets the stage we need to flee. Take a walk, pray, get in the bible, get in your car and drive some where, call someone, get some exercise or do what you have to. Jesus uses an analogy of cutting off body parts to move away from sin. In other words do not accept sin in our lives. Fight it!
Then once this passes call someone again, ask them to pray for you and seek out more of God in those immature areas of our hearts.
There's a reason we are called to put on the full armor of God. It's not for looks. It's because we live in a world at war and we should expect and be prepared for battle. We shouldn't be caught off guard.
Are you a casualty of this war or are you more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus? Are you under the lie that you are defeated or the truth that you are a son, or daughter of God?
