Hi there,
So I struggled with sin, for a long time, when it came to desire and it seemed like the Devil always knew how to break down my defences, again and again. Then I started to say "ok, I'm tempted, but even though I am tempted I am going to call the sin out". The Bible says "if we confess our sins, He [God] is able to cleanse us of all our sins" (from memory, letters) - so this is basically in line with that statement. The point I am trying to make, is that the more verbal our confession, the more the Devil wants to avoid us. The Devil sees the light in us - when we confess - and can't stand to be exposed.
Now, I know some people have backslid - I know of one case, anyway - and probably they have backslid because they don't know what's wrong with their defences. To which I say "go back and look at what you are confessing - are you confessing before being tempted or after or despite being tempted?" I found strength in confessing despite being tempted. I don't think the enemy has time to work out the difference between what you are tempted with and what he is tempted with. This is crucial. If you are taking back time, your spirit is free to resist the temptation.
Now, the proof will be in the pudding (as they say) - can I maintain this resistance: for that I have the Holy Spirit. It's important to remember that you can't do it on your own, even if you think you have every angle covered. Jesus said "if you don't renew your faith, after you have confessed, you will find it worse" (paraphrase, Gospels) and "if the master knew when the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into" (again paraphrase, Gospels). Scripture helps! Trusting the Holy Spirit delivers! "If you have the faith of a mustard seed, you will be able to say to this mountain, 'be pulled up and cast into the sea' and it will be done for you" (again paraphrase, Gospels). These are building blocks the soul can use, to grow strong (in submission to God).
I hope this has been of some encouragement.
God bless.
So I struggled with sin, for a long time, when it came to desire and it seemed like the Devil always knew how to break down my defences, again and again. Then I started to say "ok, I'm tempted, but even though I am tempted I am going to call the sin out". The Bible says "if we confess our sins, He [God] is able to cleanse us of all our sins" (from memory, letters) - so this is basically in line with that statement. The point I am trying to make, is that the more verbal our confession, the more the Devil wants to avoid us. The Devil sees the light in us - when we confess - and can't stand to be exposed.
Now, I know some people have backslid - I know of one case, anyway - and probably they have backslid because they don't know what's wrong with their defences. To which I say "go back and look at what you are confessing - are you confessing before being tempted or after or despite being tempted?" I found strength in confessing despite being tempted. I don't think the enemy has time to work out the difference between what you are tempted with and what he is tempted with. This is crucial. If you are taking back time, your spirit is free to resist the temptation.
Now, the proof will be in the pudding (as they say) - can I maintain this resistance: for that I have the Holy Spirit. It's important to remember that you can't do it on your own, even if you think you have every angle covered. Jesus said "if you don't renew your faith, after you have confessed, you will find it worse" (paraphrase, Gospels) and "if the master knew when the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into" (again paraphrase, Gospels). Scripture helps! Trusting the Holy Spirit delivers! "If you have the faith of a mustard seed, you will be able to say to this mountain, 'be pulled up and cast into the sea' and it will be done for you" (again paraphrase, Gospels). These are building blocks the soul can use, to grow strong (in submission to God).
I hope this has been of some encouragement.
God bless.
