Believe in Christ's victory

...Sin [can’t] be managed, but rather [has] to be defeated. Thankfully, we don’t have to defeat our sin because Christ has already done it for us.

One of my biggest revelations was that I didn’t do anything to conquer my problem. In fact, my self-effort was the reason I fell over and over again. I couldn’t conquer the problem and couldn’t manage my sin.

As Christians, our victory is in Christ Jesus alone. As 1 John 2:1–2 says:

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

That’s not to say that practical steps aren’t prudent. But they become a problem if we trust in them instead of trusting in the saving work of Christ. Sin management doesn’t change our sinful hearts. Unless our heart is changed, our idols won’t be torn down—and we will fall again.

Often we’re so focused on avoiding temptation that we fail to realize that the problem isn’t temptation. Even Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15), and we’re promised that we won’t be tempted beyond our ability (1 Corinthians 10:13). The problem is that we’re sinners in need of a Savior. Avoiding temptation doesn’t change our hearts, but a changed heart, something that can only be accomplished by Christ’s work on the cross and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, allows us to overcome temptation.

I found these verses particularly helpful as I moved from avoiding temptation to trusting in Jesus to help me overcome temptation.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God [Jesus] abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” – 1 John 2:13–14

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” – 1 John 5:4

In light of this, if you’re struggling with [anything], I encourage you to stop trying to just manage your sin and avoid temptation. Stop working in your own strength. Admit to yourself the severity of your sin and idolatry. Admit to those whom you love the darkness of your heart and sins, walking from now on in the light. And finally, trust in Christ Jesus as your righteousness and overcome evil by the faith you have placed in him—not in your own actions and righteousness.

Only then will you be free.

God Loves You
Finally, I want to remind you that God loves you. His desire is to redeem you and bring you back into full relationship with him. You cannot achieve this for yourself. That is why he sent Jesus to accomplish this for us.

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:14–19

Meditate on this and realize what a life-changing concept it is.

God’s intentions for you are restoration, not judgment. That judgment has been handed down to Christ as your propitiation, and Christ’s righteousness has been given to you.

You are free. Walk in that freedom.

-Jake Johnson
http://pastormark.tv/2012/03/06/how-jesus-overcame-my-porn-problem