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 return time and again to the forbidden fruit, ignore the voice of the Lord, 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, victory over habitual sin is possible. Just recognize and remove the roadblocks that are 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, they are:
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. True 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?
6. Lack of obedience – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Some of us are just more rebellious than others. We like to do things our own 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 heart and quench the Spirit, we place this roadblock up 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 that speak truth into your life.
Our attitudes inspire the actions that place the roadblocks in our path to victory.
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, who is 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. Click To Tweet8 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 it! 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. Pray for God to lead you to a Bible-believing church that will help you to obtain 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 spiritual growth:
8 Roadblocks to Victory Over Habitual Sin- Part 1
3 Reasons Why Prayer is Essential to Your Spiritual Growth
How to be Sober in Stressful Times
Resource Library
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Pray With Confidence
If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the monthly 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! 🙂