We often view our sins as nothing more than bad habits or harmless mistakes. When we do this, we fail to connect the dots between the idols of this age, the demonic activity behind it, and our sinful behavior. And if we keep a benign, soft version of sin, we stay blind to the fact that there is a demonic enemy who wants to use our sin as a foothold to draw us away from the worship of God.
I love how commentator James M. Hamilton Jr. puts it, “We have a great need to see evil for what it is. The sins that tempt us are not pleasant things that we could enjoy if it weren’t for those pesky, unnecessary, burdensome commands that God has given to us. The sins that tempt us are traps set by a Dark Lord…. We need to feel the evil of sin, so that we will be convinced that God’s commands are good. God’s commands keep us from the traps and snares of the ancient dragon.”
Satan wants you to take your sin lightly. That’s because Satan hates your guts, and he hates your God. And in his hate-filled rebellion against God, he wants to create a world lulled to sleep by idol worship that looks harmless, which will then lead to sinfulness that causes people to become so hardhearted that they refuse to repent.
If we are in love with the Savior, we will take our sin seriously. Not because we fear we will pay for our sins in hell, but because we believe our Savior has paid for our sins, and we are so enamored by His love bestowed upon us that we want to live lives worthy of His sacrifice.
We must not cheapen God’s grace by treating sin lightly, nor underestimate the enemy’s desire to destroy our lives and our witness. Our sins aren't solo—Satan is also involved. He's not principally to blame; we are (see James 1:14-15). Yet when we give in, he works to keep us trapped in sin. That’s why we need to take our sin seriously and resist his influence. In short, we have to starve him.
How do we starve Satan’s influence on our lives?
1 - COMMUNION with the Lord. I’m not referring to the Lord’s Supper, although that is a beautiful and integral part of our walk with Christ. I mean, you need to spend time with the Lord personally this week. Spend time in His presence. Spend time in His Word. Spend time in prayer. (Struggle with having a quiet time? Find seven helpful essentials HERE.)
“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
2 - CONVICTION from the Spirit. Conviction isn’t an act of God’s unkindness. God doesn’t convict you to kill you. Remember, it’s the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. God convicts you by His Spirit and through His Word so that you will call your sin out for what it is and acknowledge before the One who loves you more than you can ever imagine that His plans are better.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24
3 - CONFESSION to a godly friend. Don’t try to turn from your sin on your own. Find a brother or sister in Christ you can confess your sin to - someone who loves you, will pray for you, and hold you accountable.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
4 - COMMUNITY with believers. Walking into a church service and rolling back out quickly right afterwards isn’t enough. Yes, you need worship and the preaching of God’s Word, but you also need a deep community with faith-filled people who will help you walk out life with Jesus. The enemy loves keeping people halfway connected to church because those people fall apart and fall away all the time.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Are any of these missing from your life currently? What area are you the strongest in? What is one practical step you can take to start growing in your weakest area? Remember, your sins aren’t just bad habits that won’t go away. Take them seriously, and do everything you can to starve Satan.