How do you fight sin? Seriously. I mean really wage war against sin, such that you not only learn to love what God loves, but also hate what God hates. As Christians, we are simultaneously a saint and a sinner; redeemed but still daily needing repentance. We are forgiven of sin’s penalty and free of sin’s power but there is a daily battle to grow in grace-driven power. Indeed a Christian will sin. There is no need for a person who is trusting in Christ to doubt their salvation. However, if a person professing faith with their lips willfully practices sin in their life, then gospel power is implicitly missing (Matthew 7:20; 1John 1:6 – 2:6; 3:4-10).

Here are some biblical realities and principles to help in your fight against the danger and deadliness of sin.

–        Faith is your victory (1John 5:4). Our faith in Christ is the foundation of truth that our lives can stand; not emotion, guilt, shame, doubt. Therefore, the Christian is called to grow in God’s Truth with the living and written Word.

–        Forgiveness is yours in full (1John 1:9; 2:12; Romans 8:1; Colossians 2:13-14). God’s forgiveness is not just a possibility but a reality historically in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and spiritually through our faith in Christ. Your sin debt is paid, your record is clear, your punishment has been completely cancelled, you are not condemned. Therefore, the Christian is to repent immediately in areas of revealed sin, so that they may walk in the light and in fellowship with Christ and His church.

–        Fight the world’s desires and pride of possessions (1John 2:15). The Christian is not only to love God but hate worldliness (Proverbs 8:13; 13:5; 15:27; 28:16). Therefore, the Christian is called to have an influence on the culture as salt and light or it will compromise and cave to the cultural standards of the day (1John 2:17).

–        The Father will never forsake His children (1John 2:1; John 10:28-30; Galatians 4:6-7). God is faithful and His salvation is firm. His love is permanent because it is not based on your performance but your position in Christ. Therefore, the Christian is to saturate their life with gospel truth.

–        The Father is continuously shaping your life (1John 3:1-3; Hebrews 12:3-11). You are not yet what you shall become. Sin does not disqualify the believer but should disciplines them toward holiness. There are times that your sin and actions may cause God’s discipline to refine and redirect your life. It is key to see discipline not as God’s abandonment but His attending to your circumstances. God’s promises are to stir us toward His given purpose over our life (2Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 2:8-10). Therefore, the Christian is to seek holiness (Hebrews 12:14) and stand vigilant against temptation (Mark 14:38; 1Peter 5:8).

–        Participation in God’s family of believers evidences your fight against sin (1John 3-4). There is power when we connect our faith and practice with the local church (Matthew 18:20; 1John 5:16). Therefore, the Christian is to invite accountability (Proverbs 15:10) and persevere running the race with Jesus toward the day of eternal (Philippians 3:12-14; 2Timothy 4:3-8; Hebrews 12:1-3).