Overcoming Sin

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 18, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 28.

We do not overcome sin by dwelling upon it. Keeping it continually before us, we grow to endure it, to tolerate it, and finally to embrace it. It is a law of our being that we "liker grow" to that upon which we constantly gaze.

We do not forget things by trying to forget. The surest way to remember is to try to forget that particular thing. We do not break up the old ridges in land by plowing in the same way year after year; we cross plow and cross cultivate.

It would be folly to dig away at the weeds to destroy them before we planted our garden or sowed our fields. At the best it would leave but a barren tract.

The secret of overcoming sin is to put righteousness in its place. The counsel of Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar is good for every soul: "Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." Dan. 4:27. In the place where self sat enthroned, place Christ. Let Him reign. Proclaim Him King throughout the whole man, the spiritual, mental, moral, physical man. Consecrate every member to His service. Think of Him.

Does an old enslaving habit clamor for the mastery? Do not let the mind dwell upon it; think of the very opposite which He would have put in its place. Are you impatient? Speak patiently. Think of Him and His patient bearing of reproach. Are you covetous? Then give to the needy, and keep giving till the expanding joy of self-sacrifice shall exceed the miserly joy of hoarding. Has some one wronged you? Pray for him; do him a kindness.

Do not seek alone to have the demon of avarice or lust or passion or greed exorcised, turned out of his dwelling, leaving it empty, swept and garnished; but fill its every room with the sweet influences of Christ, that there may be no room for the demon and his companions when he returns.

In your own soul "overcome evil with good." By beholding Him, the One "altogether lovely," grow into His likeness.