Crosstalk: July 14, 2016

This Crosstalk broadcast focused on what's going on in the heart. In Hebrews 12 we are told to '...lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us...' In Colossians we are told to mortify or put to death the deeds of the flesh. How do we do it? How can we have victory over sins that have become habits in our life?

Discussing this with Jim was Dr. Stuart Scott. He is professor of biblical counseling at the Master's College and adjunct professor at Southern Seminary. He has served more than 3 decades in the area of biblical counseling and pastoral ministry. He is the author of several books including 'The Exemplary husband: A Biblical Perspective', 'Biblical Manhood', and the book that was discussed on this broadcast, 'Killing Sin Habits: Conquering Sin with Radical Faith'.

What are sin habits? Dr. Scott described sin as any lack of conformance or transgression of the law of God. A habit is what we get into comfortably, automatically, or repeatedly. So there are times when we get into repeated activity of the same sin. Eventually we can get to a point where we make these sin choices comfortably, automatically and repeatedly. Believers may want to stop these habits but are seemingly unable to.

From here, Jim has Dr. Scott describe the temptation/lust cycle. The cycle involves temptation, feeble struggle, rationalization, unholy surrender/hopelessness, real guilt, momentary guilty pleasures/relief, sorrow and shame, confession to God delayed, actual confession, Christ not put on and isolation.

Dr. Scott was careful to note that even though the Bible tells us to mortify the deeds of the flesh, we can't eradicate sin from our life. Instead the Bible instructs us to starve it and don't give in to it and replace it with a right love and desire toward Christ. This must be done with the help of the Holy Spirit and not in our own strength.

What is genuine repentance? What are some areas that will hinder us from obtaining victory? These questions and others are answered as Dr. Scott helps listeners use Scripture as their battle plan to kill sinful habits.