Day 16 Devotional Before United Prayer: (about 1:58 minute reading)
Complete Victory Over Temptation and Sin
When you go on a trip, it is necessary that you know where you want to go. The same is true of our walk with God; we need to know where He wants to take us in our relationship with Him and the victory we can have in Him over temptation and sin. In this chapter, we will consider where God wants to take us in relation to victory over sin in our lives. It is essential we understand this aspect of righteousness by faith. If we don’t we will conclude that we simply have to continue with certain besetting sins in our lives until Jesus comes. The tragedy of that kind of thinking is that we will be lost if we are living when Jesus returns in glory.
IS IT POSSIBLE?
Is a consistently obedient life really possible? Can we truly have victory over every temptation and sin in our lives? That is the kind of life God in the Bible calls us to live. The apostle Paul was very clear on God’s will concerning complete victory:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:11-12)
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
John agreed with Paul’s view of victory over sin:
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (1 John 3:19)
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)
These verses clearly state that victory over temptation and sin is possible for the Christian. Ellen White also supported this view.
“He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.” REVIEW AND HERALD, MARCH 10, 1904
“Moral perfection is required of all.” CHRIST’S OBJECT LESSONS, 330
“ ‘The prince of this world cometh,’ said Jesus, ‘and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us.” DESIRE OF AGES, P123
Day 16 Prayer Focus: Pray for
- The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
- Revival for yourself and the church
- God to lead the church and to experience complete victory over sin through faith in Christ
- Those on your prayer list
Day 16 Going Deeper Discussion Questions: (based on pages 57 to 59 of “Righteousness by Faith” by Dennis Smith [pages 77 to 79 of the PDF version])
- Do you know where God wants to take you in your relationship with him? Explain.
- According to Romans 6:6 How do you know if your old man has been crucified?
- What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? 1 John 3:4-9 see also John 3:1-7, John 1:17, John 1:12-13, Jer. 31:33
- Read again the quotes of E.G.W. What do you understand with “Not even by a thought did he yield to temptation. So, it may be with us”. What is the difference between being tempted and yielding to temptation? Is a thought already a sin or is it a temptation? Explain.
Day 16 Heart preparation/challenge:
- Throughout the day ask God to remind you what He is speaking to you in today’s reading and going deeper discussions and to help you to apply them in your life.
- Read “Righteousness by Faith” by Dennis Smith pages 59 to 61 (pages 79 to 81 of the PDF file) in preparation for Day 17.
- Prayerfully answer Day 17 discussion questions in preparation to share on Day 17 Going Deeper segment of united prayer.
