What strategies will reinforce your faith and repentance?

Not sowing to the sinful nature Gal 5:16-17

i.e. saying ‘no’ to whatever strengthens my sinful desires and therefore reinforcing repentance

AND saying ‘yes’ to whaatever strengthens my spirit inspired desires and therefore reinforcing faith[1]

Avoiding whatever provokes sinful desires

- Bible says run 1 Cor 6:18-20; 1 Tim 6:9-11; 2 Tim 2:22

- avoidance buys time

- vulnerable when Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired

- God will provide a way out 1 Cor 10:13-14

Avoiding whatever strengthens sinful desires

- Bible says do not love the world – under control of Satan 1 John 5:19 it reinforces desires 1 John 2:15-17

- Screen voices of world out and replace with God’s words Ps 1

Saying ‘no’ to sinful desires

- Do not pander, cosset, cuddle and stroke them instead of crucifying them Mt 5:29-30

- “Every time we … [sin e.g. harbour...nurse...entertain...linger...read...etc.] we are sowing to the flesh. Some Xns sow to the flesh every day and wonder why they do not reap holiness.” J Stott

- Only a new stronger desire can displace the old Heb 12:1-3

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[1] Caveat – only heart change can produce real change in us, therefore we do this in a context of addressing our heart and its desires