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Sin - Sin and the Believer


Even though Christians have died to the sin nature and are no longer slaves to sin (Rom. 6:2, 14), as Christians we know that we are still able to sin and do sin, 1 John 1:8-10 makes this clear.  John also indicates that the believer has three enemies in this life, three areas in which the believers conflict with sin arise in (1 John 2:16):
(1) The world. This is not to be understood as God’s creation (nature), but rather the ordered system of this age which is dominated by Satan, the world that is hostile to God. 1 John 2:15 tells us that we are not to love the world (this ordered system)
(2) The Flesh (Rom. 7:17-20; Eph. 2:3).
(3) The devil (1 Pet. 5:8).

In spite of the fact that we have the world, the flesh, and the devil as enemies in this life, God, by His grace and mercy, has made ample provision so that as Christians, we might experience true victory over sin:
(1) The Scriptures (Ps. 119:9-16; John 15:7; 17:17; Eph. 5:26; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
(2) Christ (John 17; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
(3) The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 5:18; 1 John 2:20; 4:4).

May we never forget that He who is in us is far greater than he who is in the world. When we do sin, and we will, we must immediately confess and repent of that sin so that the joy of our salvation may be restored to us and so that our walk and fellowship with the Lord may not be hindered (1 John 1:9).

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