So how does one overcome embedded sin? Each person must answer the question for themselves. But, is there help. And What does help mean? I ask the question who will start the answer?
Views: 0
You need to be a member of The Reimagine Network to add comments!
Adj. 1. embedded - enclosed firmly in a surrounding mass; "found pebbles embedded in the silt"; "stone containing many embedded fossils"; "peach and plum seeds embedded in a sweet edible pulp"
enclosed - closed in or surrounded or included within; "an enclosed porch"; "an enclosed yard"; "the enclosed check is to cover shipping and handling"
2. embedded - inserted as an integral part of a surrounding whole; "confused by the embedded Latin quotations"; "an embedded subordinate clause"
integrated - formed into a whole or introduced into another entity; "a more closely integrated economic and political system"- Dwight D.Eisenhower; "an integrated Europe"
Sin
Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.
A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.
Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.
intr.v., sinned, sin·ning, sins.
To violate a religious or moral law.
To commit an offense or violation.
Embedded Sin
An act we know is against moral law but we hold on to it and refuse to let it go even if it we can see it destroying our life, relationships, family, everyone around us we hold dear. And we find ourselves powerless to change.
We can hear the right things, say the right things, and put up a front that we are doing the right things but deep within our core. We are powerless to change.
Wow this is a good question. I will first give a simple answer to this question based on how you defined embedded sin:
Embedded Sin
An act we know is against moral law but we hold on to it and refuse to let it go even if it we can see it destroying our life, relationships, family, everyone around us we hold dear. And we find ourselves powerless to change. We can hear the right things, say the right things, and put up a front that we are doing the right things but deep within our core. We are powerless to change.
When we do things we fail and when God does things we are victorious is the simple answer. Embedded sin needs to be surrendered. By your definition embedded sin is not being surrendered to God.
Difficult answer.
Step one is that we find out why we hold on to the sin. If it is embedded there is some reason we are holding on to the sin....something makes us comfortable with this sin...why?
Step two is that we address it as sin and all sin separates us from the Loving Father
Step three is that we confess our sin
Step four is to repent (turn in another direction)
Step five is to replace that sin action with something else godly
Again that is very simple. I can understand the question and there is a lot more to the particulars that needs to be addressed in each individual case. But because this is a Discipleship Forum we all understand that Discipleship is a process. Process involves both time and growth. The same could be said with embedded sin. We all are being perfected daily and our desire to be perfected and conformed to the image of Christ is what will get us to desire to surrender our embedded sin(s) to the Lord. I truly believe the mandate is for us to live victoriously in Christ so I believe there is help and hope in dealing with embedded sin. I have been there and have gained victory. But there is still work to be done in me with other embedded sin. I pray that the Lord sheds light in these areas of my life and gives me the strength to deal with these...giving them to Him...
I like the point of finding out why we hold on to our sin. Sometimes the root of the problem goes beyond the act of sinning. If you don't kill the root then you can't kill the weed.
You must also come to hate your sin. You must see it from God's perspective rather than your flesh. You can find no pleasure in your sin. Psalm 101:3-4.
I also believe that confession and one or two people to keep you accountable is a powerful tool. Confession does wonders to short circuit guilt and condemnation. Accountability helps when you are weak because your partners encourage you to the achive more, like a cheerleader.
There are some practical things we need to do also such as avoid the situation or circumstance that allows or prompts sinful thoughts or behavior. Don't go there; don't watch that, don't facilitate sin in any way, instead fill your life with Christ honoring things and there will be no room or time for sinful behavior, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 13:14. I know it's not as simple as a memory verse but God's Word addresses or needs.
Having the right weapons/tools may make the battle easier but it is still a battle.
Great advice. Holding on to sin, saying it has me in its grips and won't let me go. Is denying the power of God's grace and eliminates the power of Faith. Virtue is an often misunderstood term and is lost in interpretation. Virtue is an active power of being, existing in a character state. Being virtuous is to rest in the power of our faith in what Jesus has accomplished and empowers us to become. We are to live in a virtual reality. 1. potential to exist: the inherent ability or potential to come into existence, almost, but not quite. It is a struggle, a battle that we live out, till our virtual reality becomes real.
Tony said:
I like the point of finding out why we hold on to our sin. Sometimes the root of the problem goes beyond the act of sinning. If you don't kill the root then you can't kill the weed. You must also come to hate your sin. You must see it from God's perspective rather than your flesh. You can find no pleasure in your sin. Psalm 101:3-4. I also believe that confession and one or two people to keep you accountable is a powerful tool. Confession does wonders to short circuit guilt and condemnation. Accountability helps when you are weak because your partners encourage you to the achive more, like a cheerleader. There are some practical things we need to do also such as avoid the situation or circumstance that allows or prompts sinful thoughts or behavior. Don't go there; don't watch that, don't facilitate sin in any way, instead fill your life with Christ honoring things and there will be no room or time for sinful behavior, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 13:14. I know it's not as simple as a memory verse but God's Word addresses or needs. Having the right weapons/tools may make the battle easier but it is still a battle.
I like the thought your started George... reminds me of:
Rom 12:1-2, Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
Unless we have our minds "renewed" our being un-conformed(?) from/of this world will most likely not happen.
Like you said, we are being changed daily. But, change only takes place after our ways of thinking are changed to His when it comes to the things of this world. And like you mentioned, it takes time for growth to happen.
Is Israel a good example of this? When Israel finally got out of Egypt (Moses - mass exodus), it took a good long time to get Egypt out of Israel....
On the topic of sin, how can we not sin? It is our human desire to sin; sin is sin regardless of what we call it. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should model our lives accordingly. However, in the world that we live in we need the assistance from our brothers/sisters in Christ. As Bonheoffer suggests we need community, yes as much as I do not like to say it, we need their help. I am not suggesting that the Word of the Lord is void or meaningless, or that God cannot take care of us. Indeed, we do need to have trust in the Lord, and yes, he does tell us not to stand idol but to work at what we are called to do. We should be in small groups with mentors and mentees, studying the word, praying, and holding each other accountable. Ultimately, it comes down to each one of us individually, our personal time in the Word, in prayer and meditation.
Yes, we are powerless, but only because we want to be powerless. Putting up the façade of being the model Christian only encourages us to sin more. The only way to work on not being so powerless is by submitting to it. Not by contemplating on it or following through with it. Acknowledge it, and then have a conversion (prayer if you will) with God about it. I submit to you, after our conversation with God regarding the issue and we still follow through with the thought. Then we need to re-examine our relationship and values with God. It will take time and it is not easy because at the core we are sinners.
Gen 6:5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Rom 7:18 - 25 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find. For I do not do the good that I desire; but the evil which I do not will, that I do. But if I do what I do not desire, it is no more I working it out, but sin dwelling in me. I find then a law: when I will to do the right, evil is present with me. For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man; but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin being in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Got an interesting thought listeninbg to a CD of Bill Johnson speaking at this Year;s New Wine conference. I can't remember it well enough, but the basic tenet was that if we get involved enough in responding to what God's doing, we won't have time for the sin. Too simple, but a thought to develop!
SCROLL for additional content: Commentary ~ Resources~ Replies ~
enclosed - closed in or surrounded or included within; "an enclosed porch"; "an enclosed yard"; "the enclosed check is to cover shipping and handling"
2. embedded - inserted as an integral part of a surrounding whole; "confused by the embedded Latin quotations"; "an embedded subordinate clause"
integrated - formed into a whole or introduced into another entity; "a more closely integrated economic and political system"- Dwight D.Eisenhower; "an integrated Europe"
Sin
Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.
A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.
Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.
intr.v., sinned, sin·ning, sins.
To violate a religious or moral law.
To commit an offense or violation.
Embedded Sin
An act we know is against moral law but we hold on to it and refuse to let it go even if it we can see it destroying our life, relationships, family, everyone around us we hold dear. And we find ourselves powerless to change.
We can hear the right things, say the right things, and put up a front that we are doing the right things but deep within our core. We are powerless to change.
Embedded Sin
An act we know is against moral law but we hold on to it and refuse to let it go even if it we can see it destroying our life, relationships, family, everyone around us we hold dear. And we find ourselves powerless to change.
We can hear the right things, say the right things, and put up a front that we are doing the right things but deep within our core. We are powerless to change.
When we do things we fail and when God does things we are victorious is the simple answer. Embedded sin needs to be surrendered. By your definition embedded sin is not being surrendered to God.
Difficult answer.
Step one is that we find out why we hold on to the sin. If it is embedded there is some reason we are holding on to the sin....something makes us comfortable with this sin...why?
Step two is that we address it as sin and all sin separates us from the Loving Father
Step three is that we confess our sin
Step four is to repent (turn in another direction)
Step five is to replace that sin action with something else godly
Again that is very simple. I can understand the question and there is a lot more to the particulars that needs to be addressed in each individual case. But because this is a Discipleship Forum we all understand that Discipleship is a process. Process involves both time and growth. The same could be said with embedded sin. We all are being perfected daily and our desire to be perfected and conformed to the image of Christ is what will get us to desire to surrender our embedded sin(s) to the Lord. I truly believe the mandate is for us to live victoriously in Christ so I believe there is help and hope in dealing with embedded sin. I have been there and have gained victory. But there is still work to be done in me with other embedded sin. I pray that the Lord sheds light in these areas of my life and gives me the strength to deal with these...giving them to Him...
You must also come to hate your sin. You must see it from God's perspective rather than your flesh. You can find no pleasure in your sin. Psalm 101:3-4.
I also believe that confession and one or two people to keep you accountable is a powerful tool. Confession does wonders to short circuit guilt and condemnation. Accountability helps when you are weak because your partners encourage you to the achive more, like a cheerleader.
There are some practical things we need to do also such as avoid the situation or circumstance that allows or prompts sinful thoughts or behavior. Don't go there; don't watch that, don't facilitate sin in any way, instead fill your life with Christ honoring things and there will be no room or time for sinful behavior, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 13:14. I know it's not as simple as a memory verse but God's Word addresses or needs.
Having the right weapons/tools may make the battle easier but it is still a battle.
Tony said:
Rom 12:1-2, Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
Unless we have our minds "renewed" our being un-conformed(?) from/of this world will most likely not happen.
Like you said, we are being changed daily. But, change only takes place after our ways of thinking are changed to His when it comes to the things of this world. And like you mentioned, it takes time for growth to happen.
Is Israel a good example of this? When Israel finally got out of Egypt (Moses - mass exodus), it took a good long time to get Egypt out of Israel....
Yes, we are powerless, but only because we want to be powerless. Putting up the façade of being the model Christian only encourages us to sin more. The only way to work on not being so powerless is by submitting to it. Not by contemplating on it or following through with it. Acknowledge it, and then have a conversion (prayer if you will) with God about it. I submit to you, after our conversation with God regarding the issue and we still follow through with the thought. Then we need to re-examine our relationship and values with God. It will take time and it is not easy because at the core we are sinners.
Gen 6:5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Rom 7:18 - 25 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find. For I do not do the good that I desire; but the evil which I do not will, that I do. But if I do what I do not desire, it is no more I working it out, but sin dwelling in me. I find then a law: when I will to do the right, evil is present with me. For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man; but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin being in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next