Living in this fallen world, we are constantly bombarded with subtle temptations. Just like viruses and bacteria, sin is interwoven in our everyday activities on this earth. We may not be able to evade sin but certainly we don’t have to entertain sin.  One may brush off their fall to sin as harmless. However, like a well set bait on a sharp hook, the invitation to indulge in sin gives birth to a besetting sin. Soon you seem powerless to restrain the besetting sin. 

In the life of every individual, there is a "besetting" sin that can tower like a mountain between the individual and God. This is "the sin which doth so easily beset us", and it differs according to the person. What is a besetting sin to one person may not trouble another at all. Sometimes this sin, is quite obvious to others, while in other cases it is hidden in the heart and known only to the individual and God. In either case, it is baffling and harassing, and, if allowed to linger and grow, it may end in tragic moral failure. Over many years of ministry, I have grieved with many whose lives were ruined because they did not deal with their inner desires.  They kidded themselves that their closet indulgences hurt no one.  For a season nothing much happened, because the devil sets his hooks carefully before all hell breaks loose.  Sin exposed; their families and finances wrecked—their reputations down the drain.  

Practically every believer wrestles with a habitually assaulting sin. Even those whose service to Christ is of outstanding quality. Examples of this are Moses, with his explosive temper, and David, with his weakness for women. These devoted men of God walked humbly and persistently in the will of God, but when they grew weak in faith and weary in their warfare against evil, their besetting sin reared up its ugly head to challenge them. Fortunately, they found refuge in God’s grace…

When we fail to lay aside a besetting sin, it will slowly but surely rule over us.  This sin if not controlled will create a huge gulf of separation between us and God.  Christian living can be difficult and frustrating or it can be most joyful even in the most trying circumstances, depending on how we would respond to a besetting sin. We do have our struggles with ‘the sin which doth so easily beset us’ (Hebrews 12:1) in our lives. Are you struggling with a besetting sin?

Brethren, God wants us to have victory over besetting sin. Our strength will fail us but victory is possible through Jesus Christ. We must begin by examining ourselves. The Psalmist prayed in Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  In the light of God’s omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence and holiness, we must examine and identify our besetting sin. God knows what they are, do you? Name them all, be it evil thinking, lustful thought, covetousness, carnal pursuits, pride, bitterness, anger, greed, lying etc. God knows what they are and let us come clean before God.

We must also repent and get right with God.  Scripture exhorts repeatedly to shun the evil and wrong and to get right with God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Romans 6:12 says, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." The process of our Sanctification is ongoing now. We must lay aside, put off or put to death the sin that so easily beset us and we must yield ourselves to God. We must remember always, God’s grace is always greater than our sin. No matter what has happened, we don’t have to live a guilt ridden life, for we are forgiven and Christ has paid the penalty of our sins in full.  We can have a new beginning with Jesus Christ. God promises us cleansing as well as forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In the eyes of God we are stand forgiven legally for ever, because of Jesus Christ.  

We should read more the Word of God and then let the Word of God in us, control and guide us. Psalm 37:31 "The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."  Jesus was able to resist the temptation, by quoting the scriptures from his heart (Matthew 4). The Psalmist in Psalm 119:9 and 11, “How shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” By keeping our heart completely committed and guarded by the Word of God we overcome besetting sin.  When we meditate on the Word of God and it exposes the subtleties of sin and grant the wisdom to resist the temptation. 

It is the Scripture that must be meditated on. Meditate on the Word of God. As the Word--  "Dwell in you richly," (Colossians 3:16)  then it controls you.  And as you start into some kind of attitude of sin or some kind of act of sin, the Word of God will act as a restraint.  When you feel the impulse of the truth you know, meditate on that, not on the enticing of the flesh and its pleasures.   Resist and oppose the first risings of the flesh and its desires to please itself, and meditate on the Word--the ingrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.

Make a commitment and guard your heart, lest you fall into sin. Job 31:1, Job says, "I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? " Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."  We must be vigilant against the wiles of the devil, lest we me deceived. James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. Remember to repent immediately, if there are failures and lapses in your commitment. 

Prayer is a wonderful means of grace through which God can give us divine help in overcoming besetting sin.  Jesus reminded us pray, “Lead us noRt into temptation”. (Matthew 6:13). Jesus also said to His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). "Continue in prayer," (Colossians 4:2).  The praying and prayerful Christian will stand victorious in his battles against sin. Continually pray for divine help. Ephesians 6:18, after all the armour is put on and the battle against Satan and demons, after all of the warfare has been set and the battle is engaged against Satan and all of his forces, he says, "Praying always, with all prayer and supplication."  Jesus said to His disciples, " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41) 

The role of fellowship groups in overcoming besetting sin cannot be overlooked. Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “Bear ye one another's burdens”. There are so many practical lessons we learn from one another. Our prayers for one another, mutual support and encouragement gives us purpose and courage to battle against “the sin that so easily beset us”.   Establish relationships with other believers that hold you accountable. "Bear you one another's burdens," says Paul in Galatians 6, "and so fulfil the law of Christ."  We are all in the same boat folks.  We all struggle the same way and we need each other.  “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

What sins entangle you? Don’t let the besetting sin tower up like a mountain between you and God. Have victory today over your besetting sin by God’s grace. Remember also to forget the past, for Christ has forgiven you. Don’t look to the past, look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Run the race of faith by obeying His Word and by faith in the person of Jesus Christ. 

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