The Struggles of Sin
Some would say that we can choose to depart from iniquity. I believe that the bible clearly shows that we cannot possibly depart from iniquity. All we can do, is to desire to be from a sin, and then trust God to set us free. Corruption cannot put on incorruption.
David Wilkerson described a young man who had been on heroin for 4 years. He was a mainliner (continuous use, and unable to be free). He told David that it's easy to quit heroin, and get rid of the addiction that his body has. All you have to do is not use it for three days. During that time, you will be in absolute agony and pain like you've never experienced. But, if you hang on, and just do it, you will be free from the bodily addiction. Then, for another 30 days, your body will still be partially addicted, and you'll still feel some withdrawal affects. Finally, this unsaved man explains why a heroin addict can never be free. He says that there is something on your shoulder, or in your veins, that keeps telling you to do it again. Your mind cannot resist it, as it is completely impossible to do so. You may stop for a few months at a time, but you will ALWAYS go back, because you cannot resist. Once a heroin addict, ALWAYS a heroin addict.
At that point, David Wilkerson realized that he was trying to treat these people from the wrong angle. What the boy described was clearly a demon.
I also believe that there is fleshly sins that we cannot possible choose not to do, whether a demon is there or not. So, we either need deliverance from a demon, or deliverance from our own selves. Either way, many times it's not a choice at all. In these cases, the only choice we have, is in our hearts. Once that choice has been made, only God can set us free. Whom the son sets free, is free INDEED.
Although I have never experienced demonic possession, I have experienced both a fleshly need for sin, as well as a demonic influence. With either one, I was completely utterly unable to resist. Sure, I could go for a couple weeks, a month, three months, but it would never let go. It wasn't until I realized that only Christ could set me free, that I became free. The Lord wrote His ways upon my heart, and I did them. It was as simple as that. I didn't have to make a choice any longer, except in my heart, nor did I abhor myself any longer, but only abhorred the sin. I felt no condemnation, no guilt, no shame, nothing. First Yashua set me free from self-condemnation, and self works. Then, when I abode in His Grace AND Mercy, I was totally and completely utterly free. Grace is divine influence upon the heart. Without God writing His ways on our hearts, we are incapable of doing them.
1. grace (G5485)
a. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2. good will, loving-kindness, favour
a. of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3. what is due to grace
a. the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
b. the token or proof of grace, benefit
1. a gift of grace
2. benefit, bounty
4. thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward Grace, in some cases, takes time. But when I finally fully submitted to that Grace, it was an INSTANTANEOUS, total freedom. My heart was so amazed by it, that I've never been the same since.
Most Christians go through their lives abstaining from superficial sins, with their own will power, and somehow think that's acceptable to God. I tell you the truth, that is self-righteousness, and you cannot be justified in such a state as that. It's one thing to be self-righteous, and still trust in Yashua's finished work. But it's quite different to believe that our salvation is dependent on our finishing of the work. I believe that every Christian on the planet is self-righteous, to a degree. In fact, I would argue that we're not Christians if we don't strive (self-righteousness) to be sin free. But, we must be VERY careful that we do not put faith in our own works, but instead on Christ's FINISHED work. And I also believe that we should be doing our best to enter into His rest, in every way, and cease from our own works of self-righteousness (Hebrews 4
). Because we also need to lay those down as well.
A friend of mine had a dream one time. In the dream, he was harvesting his garden. He filled up some really large containers with all of his harvest. He was admiring the amazing harvest, and all the work he had done. All of a sudden, he saw that the harvest containers were infested with worms, and all sorts of insects. He was so angry that he grabbed a sword, and began to destroy the entire harvest. He was almost finished destroying it, when he realized that the rest of the fruit/vegetables were not infested.
When he woke up, he asked the Lord what it meant. The Lord told him that most of the crop was his own works, and only 10% of it had come from God. He then told him that the anger he had came from God. God was going to give him a holy anger against all the self-righteous works that he had performed, leaving only God's works.
It is God that sets us free from our sins, not us. We ONLY have a choice to want to be free. God MUST set us free, otherwise we are not free, and only have a Pharisaical righteousness. That is why there was only 10% of my friend's works that were worthy. That's also why Paul said the following...
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (KJV)
Our unworthy works WILL be cast away. God will not hear of them, nor will He praise us for them. He will only praise us for doing that which we received of the Father. So, if we cease from sin, by our own free will, as some say, then those works will not be accepted by God. They will be written off as insignificant, and burned up as wood, hay, and stubble. Hopefully the individual themselves will be saved. But, I wouldn't be so quick to trust in uncertain self-righteousness.
Revelation 4:10-11 (KJV)
Why do you think they cast their crowns before his throne? Do you really believe it's because they made a choice to by Holy? No, I tell you the truth, no man can come to the Father, except whom God draws. And no one can rightfully cast their crowns at His feet, except those crowns be given to them, for doing the will of the Father, by His Spirit, NOT by their flesh or free will. Free will only comes into play in that we choose not to have a rebellious spirit against Him. Beyond that, it is up to Him to perfect us.
There was a very good reason for departing from the Roman Catholic Church, and being protestant to her ways. Have we begun in the Spirit, only to be made perfect by the flesh, as she thinks that she is? We are loosing our protestantism!!!
