Day 2: Will you repent? (Acts 3:19)

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Romans 7:19

Have you ever asked yourself why living a repented life seems so difficult? Especially when you intentionally want to live right before God. If you have, What was the answer that you received when you asked God to help you understand this issue?

Mark 14:38 when he said: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Did you consider that one of the reasons why a person is unable to genuinely repent is, because they are unwilling to let go of their sin? Their inability to repent lies in the fact that their sins may be satisfying some subsurface need in their life. For instance: porn is watched as a means to aid or satisfy the sexual appetite. It is watched by people who are interested in appeasing a lustful desire that has not been met. For the individual, there is a recognised need for a temporal sexual relief that is usually met when they engage in this type of activity. the need for relief appears to be greater than the will to kick the sinful habit. Sin in this case is attached to the perceived need. This need is the person’s weakness and this weakness begins to have a negative impact upon the person mind, spirit and body, when not disciplined.

To overcome any challenge of sin. There must be a paradigm shift. A change of mind towards the sin and towards God, that will bring repentance. In the book of Acts, there are many messages about repentance that act as a catalyst for transformation and salvation. One of these being in Acts 17:30.

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30

In ages past, God used to excuse our sins when we lacked knowledge, because we didn’t know everything God wanted us to know. But now, with the finished work of the cross complete, and with salvation made available to both the Jews and the Gentiles, no one has an excuse anymore. God commands all people to repent of their sins. For this reason, If you are a Christian who struggles with sin, here are 5 biblical insights to help you on your journey to overcome the sin that you are struggling to conquer.

• Be Transparent: do not conceal sin . Many people hide their sins. But the Lord wants us to confess them and forsake them. Proverbs 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
• Overcome the shame, guilt and condemnation and forgive: Shame and guilt causes many to suffer in their sin because of the memories of their past and present sins. It is time that you forgave yourself, so that you can obtain the forgiveness of God that can save your soul. John 3:19-21: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

• Occupancy: understand that this sin is occupying a place in your consciousness that should only belongs to God. We must not be dependent upon the sin but on God.

• Repent of all known sins. Change your mind towards sin and God. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

• Believe that God is able to change you. You cannot change you, but God can. When you try to change yourself independently from God you will fail and fall short of his glory. But when you submit to God in prayer, in word and through fasting, he takes over. Psalm 138:8: The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, 0 LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Jude 1:24. It says: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

In day 2 of this fast, allow Christ to change your mind towards unholy thoughts, habitual cycles of negative trends and transgressions of the heart that have hindered you from forging a healthy relationship with God in the life of Christ.

Scriptures to meditate upon.

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance Matthew 3:8

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4

Let us pray:

Lord, I come to you in prayer repenting of my sins. I acknowledge that I have forsaken your presence in preference for the idols of this world. I am sorry and I now turn from my sins and return to you, in the name of Jesus.

Amen

For further studies during this fast: Read Matthew Chapter 4-6