In order to gain victory over temptations and the vexing nature of sin we must begin to break the cycle; the constant repetition of the same mistakes while knowing to do otherwise. To begin and start trusting God with what we cannot change by replacing and changing our behavior with the instruction of God. Taking the discipline we receive from our lives and learning to turn it into discipleship.
- Stop hiding. We must stop living in denial from the fact that we have failed. Repenting from our mistakes is the only door we can go through to getting our lives back together again.
Proverbs 28:13
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
- Get rid of it and get something new. We must get rid of old habits and be renewed in the spirit of God and put into our lives new things. Get rid of stuff from your past and bring in new things to take your mind away from the person you once were.
- Media you watch, listen to or interact with that leads you into temptation
- Replacing your bad habits with good ones (less junk food, eat better food)
- Praying for God’s spirit to help you when you feel like you cannot continue
Ephesians 4:22-24
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:5-10
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
- Don’t give the enemy a chance. Present yourself to God daily so that you may understand better what you can do to improve how you not only handle temptation but ultimately breaking the sin cycle.
Ephesians 4:27
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Romans 12:1-2
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
- Remember that you can do it with God and cannot without Him. Without divine supernatural power to rebuke Satan then we are more susceptible to temptations only working through our own strength.
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me