Breaking free from habitual sin

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MOC

Member
Mar 20, 2020
84
69
18
#1
Every Christian struggles with sin. We are born with a sin nature Psalm 51:5, and controlling the fleshly desires is a life long battle. The Bible says that until we are "born again", we are a "natural man", meaning that we are dead in sin. The "natural man" follows the desires of the flesh and is unwilling to obey God. Habitual sin is when a Christian allows a certain sin or sins, to dominate their life by repeatedly doing or practicing something that is contrary to God's word. This unrighteousness continues having power over them and controls their life. God's people have been transformed from the "natural man" into a new creation. When we accept Jesus into our lives, that doesn't mean we are immune to sin, Christians will have a deeper desire to not let sin dominate or have power over our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature..." The moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are in the process of sanctification. We will fight those "fleshly desires" all our lives, but must not let sin dominate our lives.

Romans 7:15-25 Paul describes every Christians battle with sin and sinful desires. He states that he wants to do what is good in God's eyes, yet he does what is evil instead. This passage details the struggles and continuous spiritual warfare we go through during our life. Our spiritual side pulls us one way while the nature of our flesh pulls us the other way.

Romans 8:11 "....he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you." Christians should listen to the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to help match and exceed our desire to turn away from sin.

Matthew 5:29-30 "if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out.....if thy right hand offend thee cut it off." Jesus is teaching to remove anything from our lives that tempts us to sin, causing it to rule over us.

Hebrews 4:16 "let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." When praying, go "boldly" or confidently to our Heavenly Father. Speak to God and "find grace to help in time of need," whenever we are tempted.

Final Thoughts
There may be some bad habits that need to be addressed and changed to break free from habitual sins. These bad habits could be what is leading up to the temptation to sin. Also, adopting the attitude of Joseph could help rid someone of habitual sin. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, he ran away so quickly that his cloak was left in her hands. When struggling with sin, we should make every effort to run from the things that tempt us. Meditate on God's Word, pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Every Christian at some point in their lives will have "that one", which is more difficult to turn away from than others. Paul says it best, we do the evil that we don't want to do and fall short of the good that we really desire to do. Keep in mind through the years of our unbelieving state(before we were saved), we could have developed certain sins that require longer for us to control it and get rid of it, thus requiring more discipline and prayer.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#2
Every Christian struggles with sin. We are born with a sin nature Psalm 51:5, and controlling the fleshly desires is a life long battle. The Bible says that until we are "born again", we are a "natural man", meaning that we are dead in sin. The "natural man" follows the desires of the flesh and is unwilling to obey God. Habitual sin is when a Christian allows a certain sin or sins, to dominate their life by repeatedly doing or practicing something that is contrary to God's word. This unrighteousness continues having power over them and controls their life. God's people have been transformed from the "natural man" into a new creation. When we accept Jesus into our lives, that doesn't mean we are immune to sin, Christians will have a deeper desire to not let sin dominate or have power over our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature..." The moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are in the process of sanctification. We will fight those "fleshly desires" all our lives, but must not let sin dominate our lives.

Romans 7:15-25 Paul describes every Christians battle with sin and sinful desires. He states that he wants to do what is good in God's eyes, yet he does what is evil instead. This passage details the struggles and continuous spiritual warfare we go through during our life. Our spiritual side pulls us one way while the nature of our flesh pulls us the other way.

Romans 8:11 "....he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you." Christians should listen to the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to help match and exceed our desire to turn away from sin.

Matthew 5:29-30 "if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out.....if thy right hand offend thee cut it off." Jesus is teaching to remove anything from our lives that tempts us to sin, causing it to rule over us.

Hebrews 4:16 "let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." When praying, go "boldly" or confidently to our Heavenly Father. Speak to God and "find grace to help in time of need," whenever we are tempted.

Final Thoughts
There may be some bad habits that need to be addressed and changed to break free from habitual sins. These bad habits could be what is leading up to the temptation to sin. Also, adopting the attitude of Joseph could help rid someone of habitual sin. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, he ran away so quickly that his cloak was left in her hands. When struggling with sin, we should make every effort to run from the things that tempt us. Meditate on God's Word, pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Every Christian at some point in their lives will have "that one", which is more difficult to turn away from than others. Paul says it best, we do the evil that we don't want to do and fall short of the good that we really desire to do. Keep in mind through the years of our unbelieving state(before we were saved), we could have developed certain sins that require longer for us to control it and get rid of it, thus requiring more discipline and prayer.
What is the difference between acts of sin and practicing sin? What is God prescribed order of victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil? How does the sin nature remain dormant in a Christian life?
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,863
4,513
113
#3
What is the difference between acts of sin and practicing sin? What is God prescribed order of victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil? How does the sin nature remain dormant in a Christian life?
Are you sinless as we speak within the commands of God?
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#4
Every Christian struggles with sin. We are born with a sin nature Psalm 51:5, and controlling the fleshly desires is a life long battle. The Bible says that until we are "born again", we are a "natural man", meaning that we are dead in sin. The "natural man" follows the desires of the flesh and is unwilling to obey God. Habitual sin is when a Christian allows a certain sin or sins, to dominate their life by repeatedly doing or practicing something that is contrary to God's word. This unrighteousness continues having power over them and controls their life. God's people have been transformed from the "natural man" into a new creation. When we accept Jesus into our lives, that doesn't mean we are immune to sin, Christians will have a deeper desire to not let sin dominate or have power over our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature..." The moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are in the process of sanctification. We will fight those "fleshly desires" all our lives, but must not let sin dominate our lives.

Romans 7:15-25 Paul describes every Christians battle with sin and sinful desires. He states that he wants to do what is good in God's eyes, yet he does what is evil instead. This passage details the struggles and continuous spiritual warfare we go through during our life. Our spiritual side pulls us one way while the nature of our flesh pulls us the other way.

Romans 8:11 "....he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you." Christians should listen to the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to help match and exceed our desire to turn away from sin.

Matthew 5:29-30 "if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out.....if thy right hand offend thee cut it off." Jesus is teaching to remove anything from our lives that tempts us to sin, causing it to rule over us.

Hebrews 4:16 "let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." When praying, go "boldly" or confidently to our Heavenly Father. Speak to God and "find grace to help in time of need," whenever we are tempted.

Final Thoughts
There may be some bad habits that need to be addressed and changed to break free from habitual sins. These bad habits could be what is leading up to the temptation to sin. Also, adopting the attitude of Joseph could help rid someone of habitual sin. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, he ran away so quickly that his cloak was left in her hands. When struggling with sin, we should make every effort to run from the things that tempt us. Meditate on God's Word, pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Every Christian at some point in their lives will have "that one", which is more difficult to turn away from than others. Paul says it best, we do the evil that we don't want to do and fall short of the good that we really desire to do. Keep in mind through the years of our unbelieving state(before we were saved), we could have developed certain sins that require longer for us to control it and get rid of it, thus requiring more discipline and prayer.
Thankyou for this. I’m a new member too.
I would like to ask people to pray for me to be delivered from addictions. I have experience of deliverance in other areas, such as booze & fornication(it revolts me now) but have been addicted to an e-cig for nearly 6 years.

When I stopped smoking cigs, I gained over 40 pounds, yet gluttony wasn’t a problem before??
Also, I really struggle to forgive people who have broken my heart (yet I have broken hearts) Thankyou in advance🙏
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,863
4,513
113
#5
Thankyou for this. I’m a new member too.
I would like to ask people to pray for me to be delivered from addictions. I have experience of deliverance in other areas, such as booze & fornication(it revolts me now) but have been addicted to an e-cig for nearly 6 years.

When I stopped smoking cigs, I gained over 40 pounds, yet gluttony wasn’t a problem before??
Also, I really struggle to forgive people who have broken my heart (yet I have broken hearts) Thankyou in advance🙏
The Christian walk is just that, a walk. Not a sprint but a daily relational relationship with God. Sometimes we slip, trip or even fall but God is always there to pick us up and continue to lead us home. A walk where repentance, fruit, and joy are scattered in between. We are in a sanctification process. Already justified from Christ, and seen as righteous through Christ. We are being sanctified until the day we are glorified as we enter our Heavenly destination.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#8
Self explanatory. In less you have a death bed conversion then people are typically growing in their spiritual walk.
Sanctification is not automatic - if is was there will be no failures. Rom. 8:2
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#10
1Pe_1:2 (ASV) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

This is just one reference to sanctification. We are sanctified by the Blood and the Spirit according to my review. I always cheat using the extended search option in E/Sword.. God bless.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,236
1,132
113
New Zealand
#11
I've always thought of the sin cycle of habitual sin to be akin to..

Sin.. feel bad about it after.. then go to the same sin to alleviate the bad feeling.

For example.. a drug that gives a high.. afterward the user feels bad.. low.. and because the drug is an upper.. they go to the upper to counter the low. Brain gets wired wanting the drug when feeling low.

So Gods way is.. I sin.. and then am convicted about it by God. Then there is sorrow for doing the sin. Out of this.. I'd be driven to restore closeness with God. Thinking on Him rather than the sin.
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
9,386
5,725
113
#12
Thankyou for this. I’m a new member too.
I would like to ask people to pray for me to be delivered from addictions. I have experience of deliverance in other areas, such as booze & fornication(it revolts me now) but have been addicted to an e-cig for nearly 6 years.

When I stopped smoking cigs, I gained over 40 pounds, yet gluttony wasn’t a problem before??
Also, I really struggle to forgive people who have broken my heart (yet I have broken hearts) Thankyou in advance🙏
Hi :)
I stopped smoking cigarettes 20 years ago. Don't be too hard on yourself about weight gain. You aren't definitely a glutton.
We do tend to graze a bit more after quitting cigarettes but there are other reasons for weight gain. Commercial tobacco has many added chemicals which makes it more addictive. Some of them can actually suppress appetite. When you quit smoking, your body is detoxing from poison. Tackle the weight issue separately once you are truly over the tobacco addiction. It can take a long time.

The e-cigarettes I can't advise on because I've never touched them. But you'll get there. We all want Jesus to cast out the legion of sin immediately but The Holy Spirit takes us through & out of our pasts gradually sometimes. We can learn a lot by that though. It sounds like you've come a long way already. Don't be discouraged.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#13
Twenty/six years ago I had gone back to smoking after a good while not. I must have still harbored that nasty habit. At any rate, one day in my three pack a day habit and a carton of cigs in the larder, I was watching a sister on TV, Joyce Meyer, and she explained something that, for me, mad it easy to put out my last cigaret t half smoked...and that was it.

She talked about how when we give up something bad, and put it on the altar, it is burned and changes from anasty thing to a sweet smell to our Father pleasure.

I did not know how true that was, but it did hit me, @ow, I can do womething that willo give my Father pleasure, and the desire simply left me. I pray this is helpful for your e thing.
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#14
Twenty/six years ago I had gone back to smoking after a good while not. I must have still harbored that nasty habit. At any rate, one day in my three pack a day habit and a carton of cigs in the larder, I was watching a sister on TV, Joyce Meyer, and she explained something that, for me, mad it easy to put out my last cigaret t half smoked...and that was it.

She talked about how when we give up something bad, and put it on the altar, it is burned and changes from anasty thing to a sweet smell to our Father pleasure.

I did not know how true that was, but it did hit me, @ow, I can do womething that willo give my Father pleasure, and the desire simply left me. I pray this is helpful for your e thing.
That does help Jj & it’s a lovely way to think of it, thank-you. I’m sorry, but I do struggle with j Meyer though (she had a facelift, then went on about justifying it in her sermon) although she did have a terrible childhood 😔
 
Nov 26, 2012
3,095
1,050
113
#15
Thankyou for this. I’m a new member too.
I would like to ask people to pray for me to be delivered from addictions. I have experience of deliverance in other areas, such as booze & fornication(it revolts me now) but have been addicted to an e-cig for nearly 6 years.

When I stopped smoking cigs, I gained over 40 pounds, yet gluttony wasn’t a problem before??
Also, I really struggle to forgive people who have broken my heart (yet I have broken hearts) Thankyou in advance🙏
There was this dude at work who we seriously thought was over 60. He coughed until he turned blue and hacked until we thought he was going to die....regularly. One day we discovered he was 50. He was inspiring. Every smoker there but him quit smoking, I being one of them. Everybody gained 30-35 pounds. I started working out and eating healthy when I quit. Subsequently, while most people’s uniforms “shrunk”, I gained lean muscle. However cheesecake never tasted better. It’s funny how much smoking suppresses flavours. When I quit I didn’t even get withdrawal. Many times I tried quitting and failed. The last time I changed my perception. Instead of thinking I was trying to not smoke, I just committed my mind to being an athlete. That’s when I truly understood the power of faith. Believing is the catalyst to receiving. Too many people buy into that we are sinners, and that we will never be sinless, but we sin less. The truth is that we are in fact new creatures. We are no longer sinners, shackled to addictions, and desires. We are children of God, holy priests. Athletes don’t smoke, children of Almighty God don’t sin. Accept your identity, believe and receive your freedom in Christ.
 

Wayne_Gearing

Well-known member
Mar 6, 2020
493
304
63
#16
There was this dude at work who we seriously thought was over 60. He coughed until he turned blue and hacked until we thought he was going to die....regularly. One day we discovered he was 50. He was inspiring. Every smoker there but him quit smoking, I being one of them. Everybody gained 30-35 pounds. I started working out and eating healthy when I quit. Subsequently, while most people’s uniforms “shrunk”, I gained lean muscle. However cheesecake never tasted better. It’s funny how much smoking suppresses flavours. When I quit I didn’t even get withdrawal. Many times I tried quitting and failed. The last time I changed my perception. Instead of thinking I was trying to not smoke, I just committed my mind to being an athlete. That’s when I truly understood the power of faith. Believing is the catalyst to receiving. Too many people buy into that we are sinners, and that we will never be sinless, but we sin less. The truth is that we are in fact new creatures. We are no longer sinners, shackled to addictions, and desires. We are children of God, holy priests. Athletes don’t smoke, children of Almighty God don’t sin. Accept your identity, believe and receive your freedom in Christ.
This is extremely helpful
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#17
There was this dude at work who we seriously thought was over 60. He coughed until he turned blue and hacked until we thought he was going to die....regularly. One day we discovered he was 50. He was inspiring. Every smoker there but him quit smoking, I being one of them. Everybody gained 30-35 pounds. I started working out and eating healthy when I quit. Subsequently, while most people’s uniforms “shrunk”, I gained lean muscle. However cheesecake never tasted better. It’s funny how much smoking suppresses flavours. When I quit I didn’t even get withdrawal. Many times I tried quitting and failed. The last time I changed my perception. Instead of thinking I was trying to not smoke, I just committed my mind to being an athlete. That’s when I truly understood the power of faith. Believing is the catalyst to receiving. Too many people buy into that we are sinners, and that we will never be sinless, but we sin less. The truth is that we are in fact new creatures. We are no longer sinners, shackled to addictions, and desires. We are children of God, holy priests. Athletes don’t smoke, children of Almighty God don’t sin. Accept your identity, believe and receive your freedom in Christ.
There was this dude at work who we seriously thought was over 60. He coughed until he turned blue and hacked until we thought he was going to die....regularly. One day we discovered he was 50. He was inspiring. Every smoker there but him quit smoking, I being one of them. Everybody gained 30-35 pounds. I started working out and eating healthy when I quit. Subsequently, while most people’s uniforms “shrunk”, I gained lean muscle. However cheesecake never tasted better. It’s funny how much smoking suppresses flavours. When I quit I didn’t even get withdrawal. Many times I tried quitting and failed. The last time I changed my perception. Instead of thinking I was trying to not smoke, I just committed my mind to being an athlete. That’s when I truly understood the power of faith. Believing is the catalyst to receiving. Too many people buy into that we are sinners, and that we will never be sinless, but we sin less. The truth is that we are in fact new creatures. We are no longer sinners, shackled to addictions, and desires. We are children of God, holy priests. Athletes don’t smoke, children of Almighty God don’t sin. Accept your identity, believe and receive your freedom in Christ.
a strange thing happened about 15 yrs ago. My pastor offered to pray for people with ‘life controlling problems’. The next morning, I forgot to smoke! By mid morning, I realised & thought I’m free!
Free at last. This lasted for a month and on was on cloud 9. Worshipping The Lord freely. My uncle said I’d go back to it & Then I thought ‘did God set really me free from smoking’?(sound familiar). That was about 15 years ago. I need prayer ‘the fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much’ 🙏
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#18
As to why it is a walk
Without Faith it is impossible to please God; and the only Faith God will accept is Faith in His Beloved Son Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrificial Work at Calvary Cross. It is called "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2).


"The "Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" demands the Child of God place and maintain their Faith and Trust exclusively in Jesus Christ Faith and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross (The Blood of Jesus) where the victory was won.

This is what it means to walk by Faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Failure to understand this or willfully dismiss this stops Grace immediately! Gal. 2:20-21 - This is a form of Godliness / Lukewarm!!!!!!! Proclaiming Christ while forsaking the Cross (the Blood of Jesus).

As I have peached, and preached, what most have rejected:

God has chosen to operate His work from the basis of faith. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) is God's prescribed order of victory for the Believer over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

The Holy Spirit doesn't require much of us, but He does require one thing, and without reservation. Our Faith and Trust must be exclusively be in Jesus Christ Faith and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross where the victory was won (the Blood of Jesus). No other way pleases God the Father, and no other way do we receive Grace (blessings).

We live by what Jesus Christ did by Grace through Faith Who loved us and gave Himself for us at the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won (Rom. 6:3-5, Philippians 1:21);

We live by:
His Obedience (Philippians 2:8, John 10:18),
His Faith (Gal. 2:20-21), and
His Love (Faith works by Love -Gal. 5:6).


It is not our obedience, not our faith, and not our love, that we live by. Rom. 8:2, Gal. 2:18

In other words, place and maintain your Faith exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross (The Blood of Jesus) where the victory was won and receive all the benefits of this resurrection life (the help of the Holy Spirit). Romans 8:2
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,863
4,513
113
#19
Without Faith it is impossible to please God; and the only Faith God will accept is Faith in His Beloved Son Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrificial Work at Calvary Cross. It is called "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2).

"The "Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" demands the Child of God place and maintain their Faith and Trust exclusively in Jesus Christ Faith and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross (The Blood of Jesus) where the victory was won.

This is what it means to walk by Faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Failure to understand this or willfully dismiss this stops Grace immediately! Gal. 2:20-21 - This is a form of Godliness / Lukewarm!!!!!!! Proclaiming Christ while forsaking the Cross (the Blood of Jesus).

As I have peached, and preached, what most have rejected:

God has chosen to operate His work from the basis of faith. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) is God's prescribed order of victory for the Believer over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

The Holy Spirit doesn't require much of us, but He does require one thing, and without reservation. Our Faith and Trust must be exclusively be in Jesus Christ Faith and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross where the victory was won (the Blood of Jesus). No other way pleases God the Father, and no other way do we receive Grace (blessings).

We live by what Jesus Christ did by Grace through Faith Who loved us and gave Himself for us at the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won (Rom. 6:3-5, Philippians 1:21);

We live by:
His Obedience (Philippians 2:8, John 10:18),
His Faith (Gal. 2:20-21), and
His Love (Faith works by Love -Gal. 5:6).


It is not our obedience, not our faith, and not our love, that we live by. Rom. 8:2, Gal. 2:18

In other words, place and maintain your Faith exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross (The Blood of Jesus) where the victory was won and receive all the benefits of this resurrection life (the help of the Holy Spirit). Romans 8:2
Of 8 paragraphs I still dont understand are you agreeing or disagreeing with my sentence. I dont see anything disagreeing so I'll just believe that.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,344
530
113
#20
Of 8 paragraphs I still dont understand are you agreeing or disagreeing with my sentence. I dont see anything disagreeing so I'll just believe that.
Many are posting scriptures and telling the Child of God what to do, but not how to do the what to do the scriptures ask or commands us to do. What you have posted (99% also do the same) will have the Child of God use their own ability, strength, will power, and Christian disciplines to carry out sanctification (this will immediately frustrate Grace - Gal. 2:21). The Child of God now becomes a transgressor (Gal. 2:18).