Mastering Sin

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching
at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:7

Ever wonder why it seems so hard to stop sinning once you start? If you’ve walked with God for any amount of time I’m sure you’ve asked yourself this question a time or two. The first key to understating and mastering sin is being aware of the foundation of sin. Even the deepest of sins start with a tiny little thought. When a thought is fed it grows into a desire and once the desire is full blown the action of sin takes place. Sin is a vicious cycle, one sin almost always leads to another. Often not getting caught in the act of sinning only feeds the flames. Once you get away with it, it becomes easier and easier to commit the act. Before you know it you are in Bondage to that sin.

It is no longer a thought, or a desire but something that controls you, stripping you of your freedom and joy. It always appears to be fun at first but it always leads to the road of destruction. God desires for us to be free, he created us this way. This is why we must master sin. Another key to mastering sin is thinking about the after effects. It may be appealing to your flesh right now but how will you feel afterwards? What kind of destruction will it bring about in your life after the act is committed? Some of the most common emotions are resentment, extreme anger at one’s self, frustration, confusion and even depression. Giving Satan even more room to operate in your life. The third key to mastering sin is to run like heck! In Genesis 39:11 Potiphar’s wife was trying to seduce Joseph. Refusing to give in to the temptation to sin the Bible says he ran so fast he left his robe in her hand.

Next we need to find someone we can become accountable to. Someone who is a Believer as well. Someone you know you can trust and talk to about the temptations going on in your life. Lastly, Get rid of all temptations. If you are dealing with pornography get rid of the computer or block those sites. Set yourself up to win. God has given us the power to master and destroy the sin in our lives. We can live holy lives that provoke the presence of God. Take the steps today to be more like our Heavely Father.

-Richard