If you’re involved in ministry to women, then you know that a good portion of that ministry is listening to their problems and offering wise biblical counsel. Sometimes they apply that counsel and grow in godliness, but sometimes they don’t. Some women never seem to grow or get victory over habitual sin in their lives. They ignore the voice of the Lord, return to the forbidden fruit, flee from His presence, and hide in shame.
I get it, I’ve done it myself, and I’m sure you have too. But we don’t have to stay on the emotional rollercoaster of addiction, because there is victory in Jesus!
Victory Over Habitual Sin Is Possible
Don’t believe the lies of the devil. You can change. You can quit. Begin the process by recognizing and removing the roadblocks in your heart, mind, and life.
In my previous post 8 Roadblocks to Victory Over Habitual Sin-Part 1, I gave you the first four roadblocks that prevent success-
A Lack of:
- True repentance
- Fear of the Lord
- Understanding of God’s holiness
- Relationship with Christ
Roadblocks to Victory Over Habitual Sin #5-8
5. Lack of belief in God’s Word – Read Romans 6! God’s word is clear that in Christ we have victory. If you are saved, you are no longer a slave to sin. You choose to give in to the lusts of your flesh or to walk in the Spirit.
Without faith in the scriptures, we live in defeat and despair. But when we believe God’s word is true, and obey that truth, strongholds are shattered. Genuine faith in God’s word will always result in obedience to it.
For instance, if we believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is coming soon, how differently would we live our lives? How urgently would we evangelize and prepare our hearts to meet the Lord face to face? Hopefully, we would be more concerned with cultivating Christlikeness than coddling our carnality.
6. Lack of obedience – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Some of us are just more rebellious than others. We like to do things our way instead of obeying the Lord, like King Saul. Samuel tells him in 1Samuel 15:23 that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
When we choose to disobey God we’re exalting our own will above His. That only brings trouble, but obedience brings blessings of freedom, joy, and peace.
Put God first for victory over habitual sin!
7. Lack of conviction of sin- When we harden our hearts and quench the Spirit, we place this roadblock on our path to freedom from habitual sin. God will bring scriptures, sermons, and wise counselors with biblical advice- all saying the same thing about your sin. But instead of repenting, you stop going to church and avoid those people who speak the truth in your life.
The farther away we get from the light, the darker it gets. The farther away from the fire, the colder it gets. And the farther away from God’s voice, the harder it is to hear Him.
Stay close. To God, His people, and His word. That is where you will hear what He wants you to lay down or pick up, and get the tools you need for transformation.
Romans 13:14 KJV~ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
8. Lack of Biblical priorities- Loving God and bringing Him glory is our purpose in life, and should be our highest priority. Without consistent fellowship with Christ in his word, and in prayer, we starve the Holy Spirit, our power source for victory. (Read more about tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit in 6 Steps to a Sober Mind.)
Inconsistent time with Jesus leads to insufficient power over the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Share on X
8 Roadblocks to Habitual Sin are a Lack of:
- True repentance
- Fear of the Lord
- Understanding of God’s holiness
- Relationship with Christ
- Belief in God’s Word
- Obedience
- Conviction of sin
- Biblical priorities
If you’re born again, God has given you His word, His Spirit, and His Church as resources for your spiritual growth, so utilize them! Ask for help from other believers to hold you accountable and to pray for you to stay on the right path.
If you’re not a member of a local church, find one ASAP. A lot of churches have an addiction recovery program, discipleship, and counseling services available. Pray for God to lead you to a Bible-believing church that will help you to obtain a lasting victory over habitual sin.
Romans 6:1-2 KJV~ What 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?
More Articles On Dealing With Sin:
How to Be a Good and Faithful Steward of God
The Power of Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth
Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
How to Live Victoriously in Christ
How to Have a Sober Mind Daily
What the Bible Says About Being Sober-Minded
Resource Library
I created a resource library with FREE tools for spiritual growth here at Daily His Disciple. It includes a 17-page guide to How to Study the Bible. There are scripture lists for topical study and memorization (including 14 Scriptures for a Sober Mind). Simply enter your email address and hit subscribe to get the link to the resource library and the password.
In addition to the resources, you get my blog posts in your email. I only post weekly or bi-weekly so I won’t flood your inbox.
If you are already subscribed to Daily His Disciple, just email me and I will send you the link and password!
Pray With Confidence
Victory over habitual sin requires diligent prayer. If you desire to grow in your prayer life, check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors. Here are a few links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
This is great, Annie. I recently caught a great series from John Piper on habitual sin from Desiring God, and he also had some good thoughts on this pervasive problem, so it was wonderful to add your thoughts to a train I was already running on!
Praise the Lord! I love it when God does things like that! Thanks for your feedback, blessings to ya! 😊
Thanks for writing this. These are great and definitely things to keep in mind. A lot of times, it comes down to gazing on something more beautiful and alluring than our sin, which has its own pull. Sometimes we have not fully comprehended God’s beauty and holiness, which is why we still feel the attraction of these other worldly things. That pull is bound to come anyway, but by spending more time in God’s word and in his presence, these things can fall away.
Truth!! Thank you for your feedback. Blessings to ya! 🙂