I read a quote from John Macarthur that said, “Our ability to avoid and defeat sin comes not from imagining Christ in our circumstances but from obeying His explicit commands and following the example of His life in Scripture. Knowing what Jesus said about sin is key to overcoming it.” That’s profound.
When we are facing temptations and decisions, are we so saturated in the Word of God that we instinctively know what to do because His Word is flowing through us? Are the commands of Christ so ingrained in us we choose His ways no matter what circumstances we found ourselves in? If we are determined to live a Christ-like life, we must dedicate ourselves to the study of His Word so we are equipped to know what to do in any situation.
When we know what Jesus said about how to live, we can defeat sin in our lives. I don’t mean we will live perfect lives, but I do mean we will have the capacity to do so. Our humanness will always urge us to choose sin over God. I wish I could tell you that you can have complete victory over sin, but I can tell you that you can get a lot better at avoiding it! The key, as with almost everything in Christianity, is to study God’s Word. There is no better defense against sin than becoming obsessed with the Bible.
Perhaps you’re tired of the advice to read your Bible. It seems too simple and you think the Word of God is too dry. Ask God to open your eyes and give you a love for His Word. If you will read it to learn more about His ways and character, it will not be boring. It is a treasure trove of insight, wisdom, and revelation. You will not discover the riches of the Bible unless you commit yourself to regular and deep reading. Don’t just sample the Bible now and then when it’s convenient. You must make it a priority in your life.
We will never defeat sin if we are ignorant of God’s Word. Despite what you will find written all over the internet, there are no “10 Steps to a Closer Walk with God”. There is only one step, and that is to read His Word. If you want to know Him better, read what He says about Himself. If you want to live the life He created for you, read how He instructs you to live. It’s all inside the book if you will simply take the time to open it and dive in.
If you want to defeat sin, you must understand its origins and learn about the weapons at your disposal. Don’t buy the propaganda that the Bible is a dusty and outdated book. If it’s dusty, that’s only because you haven’t been picking it up! It is as relevant today as it has always been. Jesus is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6) and knowing His Word will tell you everything you need to know about how to prepare for that eternal life in the here and now, and how to get that eternal life when your time here is done. Read the Bible and pray the Lord will give you an intense love for His Word. When you know God’s truth and wisdom, you will have the power to defeat sin every time.