Maybe this is a statement about my own experience more so than it is a statement about my theology. But I’m compelled to share it anyway. Compelled because I see so many people struggling with sin and temptation as I have and continue to struggle. I’m continually looking for new insights into overcoming such things. It’s one thing to be forgiven – another thing entire to be able to say that we are liberated from a certain struggle.
What I’ve noticed, as I begin, is that in most cases, if not all cases, when we read of God helping someone in the Bible with almost anything – he is helping someone who simply and ultimately is incapable of helping themselves. And, in many cases, God still requires men to struggle, and strive, and participate with God in his victories.
I think of the time when Israel was fighting an enemy and God required MOses to keep his arms raised during the battle. This was a struggle for Moses. Eventually, his friend and brother (Aaron and Hur) had to go to the hilltop with him – get him a stool and hold up his arms! Now, why would God do that? Why not just wipe out the enemy? Certainly God is capable of doing just that? And on top of this – Joshua still had to go into the valley below and kill people with his sword! And even when the Israelites were winning – it’s possible that they still lost a few men! Wow! When God could have just wiped out the enemy – he still required human participation in a way that was very very difficult. They had to try!
Essentially what I”ve found is this: That God helps those who help themselves. AND – God helps those who CANNOT help themselves, but God rarely IF EVER helps those who CAN help themselves but refuse to do so! I think this is probably also true in relation to our struggle with sin.
When we struggle with sin and are not overcoming…
1) Perhaps we are too lazy – God knows that we could overcome on our own, but has refused ot help us because we are simply not trying. Like Moses letting our amrs down!
2) God’s grace is suffient. I thought of another time Paul asked God three times to remove the “thorn” form his flesh. But God’s answer aparently was, “No, my grace is sufficient.” Perhaps if we are giving it our all and still unable to overcome – the message to us is this: God’s grace is sufficient!
3) The other alternative is that God WILL help us through divine internvention. If we are truly struggle and we are NOT ABLE of ourselves to overcome – know that God will help! That is how he operates.
So what should we do? Get off our butts and try. Do everything in our human power to overcome sin – including asking for God’s participation. Do not give up. Wait for divine deliverance. Never let your arms donw. What you will find – is that it is possible that you have been given strength within yourself to overcome. And if you do not have the strength, God will supply it.
God and Overcoming Sin
Published: January 31, 2008Posted in: Encouragement
Hi, Lee.
Long time no see.
Hope you do not mind my visiting your blog. I really enjoy your writing.
Hope you don’t mind my responding. I cannot read without thinking of responses, so what do I do with them?
I will try not to be argumentative.
I will try not to expect a response from you if you do not care to.
With regard this this particular post, I read about the struggle with sin and try to relate. As you know, I am not a Christian so one could wonder how I could relate. I am a normal human, however, and once a Christian, so maybe…
I’m first try to feel my strugge with sin. I guess the nearest I come is my effort to overcome pride and judgmentalness and to practice meekness, patience, peace, love.
I have done a lot in that area over the last couple of years. It has been more rewarding that I ever knew. I think I have developed a newfound respect for humility.
OTOH, it is hard for me to visualize it as a struggle. To me, it is fun to try to learn and grow.
I guess, honestly, I cannot understand what you mean by struggle. I would like to understand better what you mean. Do you think it is because I am not a Christian, or what? You seem to assume that all share this feeling of struggle. Yet, I don’t feel that. Maybe it is just me. Maybe we just see what we are looking for. I don’t see it in those around me either. I would be surprised if they saw any part of life as a struggle, but I could be wrong.