Most people live their lives trying to defeat sin. This may come as a shock to some people, but born-again believers are without sin. The Word of God says in 1 John 3:9, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
When people read the scripture in Romans 3:23 that says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” they wonder how these two scriptures fit together.
Here’s how it works. Yes, you were born into sin. That means you were born with a sin nature. The spirit within you desired to sin because you were without God.
When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, Second Corinthians 5:17 tells us that old things passed away and all things became new in Christ. Your spirit was born of God’s Spirit. That is when 1 John 3:9 began to apply to you: “Whoever is born of God does not sin…he cannot sin because he has been born of God.”
If that’s the case, most people want to know why there is such a battle with sin. If our spirit now desires to do right, why is there still an urge to sin? Here’s the answer. We are three-part beings. We are body, soul, and spirit. The real you is spirit. That is the part that was born again. But your mind is something you must renew on a daily basis.
Do not be conformed to this world-this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind-by its new ideals and its new attitude – so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
(Rom. 12:2 AMP)
Renewing your mind is a continual process. It will never end as long as you live on this earth.
The good fight of faith talked about in 1 Timothy 6:12 is fought in the battlefield of the mind. The Word of God says you have only one fight to fight and that’s the good fight of faith. The mind is the place where the words of God do battle with the words of the devil.
You must decide which words to accept and which words to reject. A Christian should reject words that represent vain imaginations and evil thoughts. Second Corinthians 10:4-5 says you must cast them down.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
The words you keep are the words you’re going to meditate on. They will get into your heart. And out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34). As the Word of God gets into your mind, it becomes easier to know which words to accept and which to reject. Then when the Word of God comes out of your mouth, you will be speaking faith.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.