Extinguishing Sin Part 2: Delighting In The Lord

Extinguishing Sin Part 2

Delighting In The Lord

To remove the inner impulse to sin it makes sense that the follower of Jesus must find some fulfillment and satisfaction in the teachings and life of faith in the Word of God. There must be joy in conforming to the standards of God. To extinguish sin is to have no toleration for the impulse itself. Complete freedom from the war against personal sin is never achieved, but each battle and progress is glorifying to the Lord. With the desire for selfish gain still plaguing our human nature, the comfort we find is the ability to overcome with the renewed desire to glorify the Lord. This is to delight in the things of God and what is pleasing in His sight. This is what you want and strive for. As we have discussed the renewal of the inner self, it is from this renewal that we have a continued desire within for the things of God. Delighting in the Lord in the inner self means to depend on and seek the things of God to fill our life. Actions of righteousness may not immediately follow but should gradually grow to reflect the things of God. All that you do and celebrate is that of the things of God. You can't even support things that are contrary to His standards and Will. So we must seek God and pursue Him with everything because that is fulfilling to the follower of Jesus!

Suggested Passages

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” -Romans 7:21-25

Extinguishing Sin: Part 1

Inner Self Being Renewed

One topic that should be of particular importance for a follower of Jesus is how to extinguish the inner desire to sin. Once you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, the individual desires to remove sin and be as close to God as possible. Sin is revolting because the understanding of God has become clearer through salvation. Simply put, the biggest change that has happened is the inner self wants be with God and not a partaker in sin.  In examining how a believer may find progress in removing sin to draw close to God, there are many ways this happens,  six have spoken to me recently.  

The first is to find continual renewal of your inner self. This is the heart and soul of every person. (The heart is the core center of conscience, belief, and all desire) Upon realizing and confessing your need for a Savior, inner corruption became evident. Knowledge of inner corruption ultimately leads  to finding forgiveness in the Saviors blood. So a believer should have a real and constant awareness that they are inwardly corrupt. This means we are prone to temptation and we know that now. Since the arrival of this awareness, one is driven to find a renewed inner self. In Christ this renewal happens and equips the believer for endurance through this temporary life leading to eternal life. Satisfaction with sin and its consequences cannot exist in the life of  the one that is renewed and is being renewed in Christ. This standard of perfection is what brings the Lord the most glory and no desire for compromise prevails in this new inner self. While our outer self is subject to decay and the consequences of sin, our inner self is strengthened. What an occasion to rejoice in victory! Through outward decay the inner growth and maturing continues for the one who pursues God. This enables the identifying of sin in ones self to be removed and the ability to invite others on this journey of renewal in Christ. Toleration of sin can be nonexistent if dwelling in the presence of a Savior that renews is maintained in the life of the individual.

By turning to God during times of persecution or temptation, extinguishing the inner desire to sin is replaced with a strength of faithfulness to God. Victory over sin and the inner compulsion is possible. True and complete victory comes through passing into heaven, but glory to God comes even now in the present battles won with His strength. 

5 more ways to extinguish sin to come…

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..." -Titus 2:11-12

Trusting In The Harvest

The people of God are to produce the fruit of the Spirit and preach the Gospel. This is common knowledge of the mission for the collective body of Christ and each individual within. As one seeks to carry out this mission, opposition is soon to come and provides many challenges. Being obedient and leaving the results up to the power of God is the key for endurance through all of the opposition. This provides endurance in that it removes the pressure of success and fear of rejection. Having confidence in the power of God to give you the effectiveness in your service to Him is only found in closeness to God. In this closeness with God, one is constantly seeking or pursuing where God is and what He is doing. By seeking in devotion to the studying of the word and expressing oneself in prayer, the follower of Christ becomes “in sync” with God and aware of His Will. Through this journey of seeking the Lord, the understanding of God’s plan for the harvest of leading the lost to salvation provides confidence. If the people of God are faithful, others will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Rejection does not have a hold on the believer that trusts in the will of God. Perseverance in obeying God through personal evangelism and discipling other believers becomes a lifestyle and not an activity. To truly live “In Christ” is to be moved with compassion for the lost and care about the spiritual health of fellow believers. This is a challenge to invest in someone’s life continually.

Passages to Consider:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law” -Galatians 5:22-23

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”  -Matthew 28:18-20

“The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” -2 Chronicles 15:1-2

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” -Matthew 9:37

You Must Read

I have come to the conclusion that no person can grow spiritually without reading. Frustration rises within me when others suggest we must find ways to make it easier to encourage spiritual growth, rather than investing in reading. (Like all men studies must be SHORT books in order to get participation!!) This is coming from someone who was not a passionate reader. I had to develop this desire. Reading the bible is obviously important and should be a daily discipline for all believers. Reading other books that have a message the Lord has burdened their heart to write is important as well. (Not that all books and authors have a message that would be glorifying to God or have proper understanding of His Word) As I prepare my reading plans and goals for next year I have reflected on some of the books I read last year. This list is compiled of the ones I would suggest anyone read. I definitely went on a trend of holiness and J. I. Packer books. Some of the others are leadership books. All individuals should develop some leadership skills and these were some helpful books. I hope you find these to be as enjoyable and challenging as I did! 

Suggested Readings

1. Onward by Russell Moore
2. Rediscovering Holiness By J. I. Packer
3. The Hole in Our Holiness By Kevin DeYoung 
4. Wooden on Leadership By John Wooden
5. Multipliers By Liz Wiseman
6. Holiness is the Way By J. I. Packer
7. Keep In Step with the Spirit By J. I. Packer
8. The Conviction to Lead By Albert Mohler 

Being Moved Through Prayer

The center of all relationships is communication. In order to maintain the health of a friendship, marriage, with coworkers, and of course with the Lord, you must communicate. Prayer is the mode of speaking to the Lord, and is vital for navigating the transformed life In Christ. You can make known, to the creator of all things, the desires and circumstances of your life. For the believer, pleasing God with your life is the top desire and priority. Approaching God in prayer allows one to have his thoughts directed by God. How does God respond to our prayers? By the power of the Holy Spirit, I believe your thoughts can be enlightened to what God wants you to do and believe. This is coupled with time spent studying the written Word (the bible) of God’s standards and truth. Comparing your desires with that of what is outlined in scripture is necessary for discerning the moving of the Holy Spirit from the influence of temptation. So without knowledge of the Word it is hard to understand what the Lord is trying to say to you in your prayer life. When seeking the Lord in prayer, with great dedication to studying the bible, you create a closeness with God that unites your actions and beliefs with Him. This unleashes the power of God. Enlightened by God and His will for your life, one can truly find contentment in not being passive. You are moved by God to serve in living out the transformed life of a saved follower of Christ. 

Passages To Consider:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” -2 Timothy 3:16-17

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” -Philippians 4:6-7

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” -John 14:26

Spiritual Consumption

The process of consuming things has been on my mind lately. (maybe the holiday feast at Thanksgiving and the upcoming feast at Christmas) After all, consuming is really necessary for life. To eat food and drink water is important for your body to receive the nourishment that it needs for strength, or even survival. For a believer it is important to desire and consume the things of God. This includes studying His Word, corporate worship (with a local Church body), discipleship relationships (mentors), and the list could go on and on with more specifics. This desire is the “want to” for spiritual growth and vitality. Vitality meaning to live a lifestyle grounded and established in the pursuit of God through your freedom in Christ. Since Jesus has provided all that is necessary for salvation, the battle with sin can be conquered now as it has been eternally won already. We are free to dwell in the presence of God and enjoy the things of God. Having this freedom allows us to have intimacy with God and all we need is to follow the desire of our changed heart. Eternal perspective takes over, when you are close to God, to drive your life purpose to be in the will of God. Consistency in this focus is to have a steady diet of consuming the Word of God. So those that are in Christ must crave and eat the divinely inspired Word, and all that is of God. 

Some Passages to Consider:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" -Matthew 5:6

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" -2 Timothy 2:22

“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
 come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food" -Isaiah 55:1-2

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" -Romans 8:1-2

Contentment

To truly be thankful one must learn to be content. A believer who has given to God what is rightfully His, finds all things in an intimate relationship with Him. All of life belongs in submission to God, as He is the giver of life. By submitting to God, you are pursuing His leadership of your life. With God as the leader of your life, one becomes more aware of His power and authority over creation. (Jude 24-25) The dwelling in or abiding in the presence of God to find contentment while living in this world, is the challenge for all who are in Christ. Finding a daily pursuit of God through spiritual disciplines such as prayer and bible study are essential, but still just the beginning. Heart engagement while practicing the spiritual disciplines is the key to truly finding closeness with God through Jesus. Being close to God constantly will provide satisfaction in the will of God alone, which is contentment. To be overflowing with thanksgiving is found in contentment with Christ alone, forsaking all of this world that is apart from the righteousness of God.

Passages to consider:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world"          -1 Timothy 6:6-7

"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me"   -Philippians 4:10-13


"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving" -Colossians 2:6-7

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me"    -John 15:4 (Really verses 1-17)