WALKOUT AFTER DELIVERANCE SESSIONS
7 STEPS TO SIN - How to overcome sin
Before you can defeat sin, you need to understand what is occurring within you. And he said, "That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts..." Mark 7:20-21
There are seven steps to a completed sin. In James 1:14-16 it says:
But every man is [1]tempted, when he is [2] drawn away of his [3] own lust, and [4] enticed, when lust hath [5] conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and [6] sin, when it isfinished, bringeth forth [7] death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
LOOKING AT TEMPTATION
Temptation is not sin but can turn into sin if we do not change our thoughts and stop entertaining it to birth the sin.
Temptation is the thought of evil. Temptation comes in the form of thoughts, without exception! No matter what the sin is, it starts as part of your thinking process that we have to discern (Hebrews 5:13-14 - discerning the good and evil). In Ephesians 6:16 says to put out the fiery darts.
The enemy knows your weaknesses and throws fiery darts to tempt you. It is the believer's choice to cast it down and not entertain the thought.
The scripture mentioning "fiery darts" is Ephesians 6:16, which states, "Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked". This verse uses the image of fiery darts, representing temptations and spiritual attacks, and the shield of faith as a means of protection and resistance. Second, cast it down according to 2 Corinthians 10:5
2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we must "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ". This verse, part of Paul's defense of his apostleship, emphasizes the importance of not only destroying arguments against the faith but also subduing our own thoughts to align with Christ's will.
The third step is renewing the mind with the Word of God to break down those strongholds.
Romans 12:2 states, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will". This verse urges believers to resist worldly influences and instead actively seek to understand and live according to God's will through a renewed way of thinking.
That is why it is so important to renew the mind with the Washing of God's Word.
So, we must submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 by the steps above.
God wants you to defeat temptation because on the day that you don't, it becomes your sin and you are fellowshipping with devils.
But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1 Corinthians 10:20.
Let's Look at the Steps of Sin More Carefully
Jesus was tempted in all points such as we are. For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
Blessed is the man who endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
Every temptation that you face is an open door to God's blessing. Every trial you face is a stepping stone to success.
2. Being Drawn Away
To be drawn away is to become preoccupied with a thought. It is to have a strong imagination about a temptation, to start to view it, and to let your mind be drawn to it.
At this stage, sin is starting to form a reality in you. It's not just an idle thought; it's starting to take form.
3. Personal Lust
When he is drawn away by his own lust... James 1:14b We all have strong imagination, and start to take pleasure in watching what's in our mind and in our thoughts. It's no longer an idle thought.
Lust is not just a sexual thing. Lust includes exalting ourselves over another in every area of our existence, whether from jealousy or envy or bitterness or hatred or whatever. Your self-exaltation and self-fulfillment are idolatry. You are king, and everything revolves around you.
Even if temptation involves as simple a thing as having a disagreement with your brother or sister in the Lord, the process of lust is there.
An evil spirit is like a projector, it projects images in you because that's its nature, and it wants to fulfill its nature and make you a sinner in that area. You think it's you because you've fallen into agreement and started becoming one with it, which is the process of becoming prepared to sin. I Corinthians 10:6
4. Entisement
Enticement is the weakening of the will. You can have every feeling and seemingly enjoyment of a lustful thought in any area of your life. The object is to weaken your will because Satan wants you to act it out.
The ploy is to get you to start weakening, to get you to yield your will to what that temptation is. If Satan can break down your will so you're no longer resisting him, he's got you in motion to commit a sin.
5. Lust Conceived
You cannot have sin until you have lust conceived. Lust conceived is the birthing of something that is not in place yet. The entire weakening of the will is occurring, and you're about to come into agreement with it so that it can be birthed within you. The process of sin is a yielding to it.
Lust conceived is the entrance into the physical of what is spiritual. At this stage, it is complicated not to sin because your total will has yielded to what the temptation represents.
6. Actual Sin
Many people say something with their hearts but not with their mouths. They still have a completed sin in their heart because they are one with it and in full agreement with it.
You can have a thought, or you can sit back and start plotting it. That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28. Basically, a person makes an agreement in their heart and will most likely follow through, but at this point, it is hard to resist lust and desires.
7. The Consequences of Actual Sin
Remember, this is why Jesus died on the cross, so that we can run to Him to repent of our sins. If there were any perfect person besides Jesus, Jesus would not have had to die a horrible death. Unfortunately, the devil comes to accuse and makes you believe you are not forgiven. Yes, every sin can be forgiven.
The result of sin is death. ...and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. James l:15b. Sin that is not repented for brings spiritual death. It also opens the door to curses in your spirit, soul, and physical body.
It opens the door for sin to rule you, to reign and to destroy and have dominion over you. Unless it is repented for, dealt with, and sometimes needs to be cast out if it controls you, it will be continually there to tempt you.
If a person has fasted, prayed, cried out to God, and done everything they could to get rid of a sin, but they keep doing it, they need deliverance because it is no longer just temptation. it is an evil spirit.
Conclusion
Now, with the understanding of how Satan works on a person through thoughts and imagination, the next time you are tempted, choose to change your thoughts and take it in a different direction.
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