A SAINT'S GUIDE TO SINNING LESS
Oh, I know. You read that title and immediately thought, "How self righteous and prideful" but no. This isn't coming from a place of moral superiority, but of identity. This is coming from a place of new birth. No where in scripture will you read the children of God being addressed as "Dear sinners" but you will see them be called saints. VVhy? For the very reason that identity carries with it a compulsion to fulfill itself. There is a saying, "If it barks like a dog, if it walks like a dog, then its a dog." The way you see yourself affects the way you carry yourself. So without further ado, who are you? If we align our identity with who God calls us [and has made us] to be we will walk as He has intended for us. Righteously.
Lets begin by reading a portion of Romans 6, even so take some time to read all of it to truly get the impact of you being set free from sin.
Romans 6 King James Version (KJV)
6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
VVhat do we gather from these verses? VVhat do they say about you? Let it form your identity and mindset. You are not a servant of sin, but dead to sin and alive unto God. Those things that held you, or do this moment are contrary to the truth. Have faith, believe God. You are set free from sin's dominion under grace.
Romans 6:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Grasp this truth and let it sink in. Come in agreement with God that you are born-again, made the righteousness of God in Christ, Jesus. You are no longer shackled to sin, but set free by God's grace. He doesn't condemn you for your sin. He loves you, and you are reconciled to Him. Forevermore. See yourself through God's eyes. VVho does God call you to be and who has He made you to be? Be just that. Its who you are. VVhen you sin you realize that isn't who you are. Your actions don't align with who you truly are. Recognizing who you are, according to God, will in part have an affect upon the amount of sin in your life. You are a saint, a child of God born-again, and dead to sin. Set free to walk in righteousness.
This is a process known as renewing the mind. Renew your mind by learning what God says about you and what scripture says happens to you once becoming born again, taking part in Christ's death and resurrection (symbolized in baptism). This is a saint's guide to sinning less, and the solution is found in identity. This identity comes by revelation of the Holy Spirit as Teacher. Remember, it is God who sanctifies us ultimately, and this renewal of the mind is coming in agreement with God about who we are in Jesus Christ.
