JUICY JULY
DAY 23
THEME: FREEDOM FROM BESETTING SINS AND NEGATIVE HABITS.
TEXT: HEBREWS 12:1, JOHN 8:36
BIBLE READING: JEREMIAH 18:1-12.
Praise God! It’s day 23 of the 31 days of the Juicy July prayer programme!
Can someone scream, “Glory! Glory!! Glory!!!”
Glory to God for hitherto He has blessed and helped us!
It is just a week and a day to go. That is, we have just eight days and then we will see this year’s Juicy July never again.
We’d only be left with the beautiful harvests from our sowing this month.
That is the more reason we have to be serious with the prayers of the last eight days!
I pray the Lord visits us all as we tarry in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SHALL WE WORSHIP BEFORE LOOK INTO HIS WORD FOR US?
Thank God for day 1 till the 23rd.
Thank God for the testimonies and miracles from the first day.
Thank God for the visitation unto each of his people.
Thank God for your life, home, family, work, friends, and endeavors.
Thank God for the BUD family as a whole.
Thank God because we are a nation for Christ and He will remain our anchor.
Thank God because he will visit you today as you pray!
Thank God because you will not call on him in vain today.
Thank God because you will receive your freedom today!
NOW PRAY:
Holy Spirit, take charge of this environment as I pray!
Holy Spirit, interpret every word to me right now.
Holy Spirit, meet me at the point of my needs today as I pray and let my freedom be guaranteed.
Holy Spirit, intercede on my behalf and give me the strength to pray!
Amen in Jesus Name!
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Welcome back!
Today, by God’s grace, we will be looking at the theme, “Freedom from Besetting Sins and Negative Habits.”
It is a two-in-one dimension of prayers we will be having today and I trust God to help us.
-Besetting Sins
-Negative Habits
Before we start considering each, let’s take our first song for today. It is a prayer song. Open up your spirit and get ready for what the Lord will do in you today. Amen.
The Egyptians you see in your spiritual life, may you see them no more after this prayer session in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ.
BRINGING EVERYTHING IN OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST BY THEOPHILUS SUNDAY
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AMEN!
Now to our study for today:
BESETTING SINS
The word besetting can mean “persistent,” “constantly in evidence,” or “deeply rooted.”
A besetting sin is the one you wrestle with most often, the one that gives you the most trouble.
They are the ones that we continually struggle with and have a weakness toward.
In the King James Version of the Bible, the word beset is found in Hebrews 12:1:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
NIV refers to the sins that “beset” us as “sin that so easily entangles”
CEV refers to them as “sin that just won’t let go”
Like a trap that easily captures a mouse, there are some sins that easily ensnare us.
BESETTING SINS ARE ROOTED IN THE LOVE OF SELF.
You know the besetting sin of Abraham, right?
Speaking half truths!
He did it twice!
Sarah was indeed his sister when you look at it but being his wife came first!
But to protect himself, he put the sisterhood first!
He didn’t even care if she was raped!
If Abraham had been loving God, would he have tarnished God’s name by lying?
If he was loving Sarah more than himself (as every husband should do) would he have been willing to let her be taken from his side and exposed to adultery?
Why did Abraham do such a thing?
Because he was afraid that he would be killed (Genesis 20:11).
He loved himself more than he loved God or Sarah.
There are different types of Besetting sins. One main one is selfishness. I have said that self is the root of besetting sins. I will talk a little bit about it, before explaining a few more minutes to show you about 20 other besetting sins that might be present in your own life.
I want us to painstakingly look through these because there are times when a Christian keeps on falling into the same sin, and after some time she gets so used to it that she loses the sense of its seriousness in God’s sight.
She no longer feels guilty after committing it. She becomes tired of resisting it any longer, and begins to excuse it as her own personal weakness.
Such sugar-coating of a sin is the easiest way to give the devil a grip in your life by which he can draw you further and further away from the Lord.
The feelings of guilt that come when you have sinned is actually good for you, because it acts like a warning bell, urging you to repent and put away the sin.
But if you ignore this warning bell too many times, your conscience becomes dead. This is a dangerous state to be in.
Your conscience plays a very important role in your life. A building that has its fire alarm system disabled will burn down and be completely destroyed!
When a Christian has a dead conscience, her life will soon show it, and her testimony for the Lord will be ruined. She will backslide terribly and her prayers will have no power, because God’s Word says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).
Therefore, your attitude toward besetting sin must always remain the same as God’s – You must hate it enough to keep on striving to get rid of it!
Let your heart be challenged to do this by Hebrews 12:1 – “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”
This is why we need to take a look at this so that we can fish out the areas of our lives where besetting sins are predominant. So that we can wage a huge war against them and chase them out.
SELFISHNESS:
Selfishness is essentially synonymous with pride, as it revolves solely around one’s own desires and needs.
This trait can be your besetting sin if:
– You constantly expect to be served by others.
– You feel entitled to things (Ephesians 4:32).
– You seek praise and recognition from others (Romans 2:29).
– You have an unwavering expectation that everything should always go your way (1 Corinthians 4:12–13).
– You believe you have the right to seek revenge for any wrongs done to you (Romans 12:9-12).
Selfishness manifests in various forms, giving rise to its offspring:
- ANGER: An intense emotional response that arises when faced with obstacles, making one want to lash out verbally or physically.
- SELF-PITY: A desire for others to acknowledge one’s suffering, seeking admiration for enduring mistreatment and seeking sympathy from others.
- QUICKNESS TO BLAME: A reflex to attribute the cause of one’s frustrations to others, often evident in tone, facial expressions, queries, or outright accusations.
- SULLENNESS: A state of sinking discouragement, moodiness, hopelessness, emotional numbness, and withdrawal.
Other examples of besetting sins include:
(1.) Irritability: This is one of the most common and easily prevailing sins among many people. Due to their temperaments, health, or circumstances, they frequently succumb to irritability. They are thrown off balance and become wrathful even at the slightest provocation. This must be overcome. For further understanding, Yorubas call this ‘ikanra’. Well, it is not Godly. It is a sin that we need to get rid off.
(2.) Fretfulness: Another easily prevailing sin is fretfulness. Fretfulness refers to a state of being easily agitated, irritable, or discontented over minor or trivial matters. It is a tendency to worry, fuss, or complain about small inconveniences or perceived shortcomings. Fretful individuals may become upset or impatient over insignificant issues, leading to a peevish and dissatisfied demeanor.
(3.) Covetousness: This easily prevailing sin takes the form of selfishly lusting after things that others possess, especially if they are superior to one’s own belongings. This desire for possessions not meant for us disrupts peace of mind and communion with God. It must be recognized and abandoned.
(4.) Avarice: Avarice is an excessive and insatiable desire for wealth, possessions, or material gain. It is a form of extreme selfishness that drives individuals to place an overriding emphasis on material possessions and financial gain, often leading to unethical or immoral actions. People driven by avarice may prioritize wealth accumulation above all else, neglecting personal relationships, social responsibilities, and moral principles. The pursuit of material gain becomes an all-consuming focus, leading to a lack of contentment and a perpetual craving for more.
(5.) Dishonesty: Some individuals struggle with being upright and honest in their actions and speech. They are tempted by little frauds and deceptions, leading to a hypocritical state of mind. Honesty and sincerity are crucial virtues to uphold in the Christian race.
(6.) Falsehood: A tendency to be untruthful and deceitful in speech is a besetting sin for many. They distort facts to create false impressions. This habit must be abandoned for the sake of truthfulness and integrity.
(7.) Disregard for others’ rights: Many individuals are prone to trespass on the rights of others without conscience or remorse. They exhibit selfishness and recklessness, not respecting the boundaries of others. Respect for others’ rights is vital for a Christian’s journey.
(8.) Unfaithfulness in business: This easily besetting sin involves being careless and inattentive in one’s work or responsibilities, especially when employed by others. Negligence and lack of responsibility should be rejected for faithfulness and diligence.
(9.) Slothfulness: Some people are too lazy to devote themselves to a religious life. The Christian race requires an active and engaged approach, and laziness impedes progress toward heaven.
(10.) Tale-bearing: Gossiping and spreading rumors or secrets are easily besetting sins for some. Engaging in such behavior disrupts trust and harmony within a community and must be forsaken.
(11.) Evil speaking: Speaking negatively about others behind their backs, whether true or false, is a sin of many. This slanderous behavior contradicts the law of love and must be abandoned.
(12.) Levity: An excessive inclination towards jesting, idle gossip, relaxation, movies and triviality undermines the solemnity of one’s mind and tempts those around them. Seriousness and dignity should be embraced.
(13.) Envy: Envy is different from admiration or inspiration, which involves acknowledging someone else’s achievements or qualities without feeling resentment. Envy is marked by a sense of unhappiness or discontentment about one’s own situation in comparison to others, often leading to negative behaviors such as bitterness, gossip, and ill-will towards the person envied.
(14.) Jealousy: The dear sister to Envy! It’s in the tightening of your chest, the bile in your throat, and the knot in your stomach. It flashes in lightning fast, infecting whatever happiness or hope you feel. Every child knows it. Every adult knows it. It’s that fierce, familiar green monster- Jealousy! It has to die!
(15.) Ambition: An insatiable desire to surpass others in various aspects of life, driven by selfish motives, is an easily besetting sin.
(16.) Intemperance in eating: Overindulgence in food that goes against the laws of life and health is an easily besetting sin. Moderation and self-control are necessary virtues.
(17.) Intemperate drinking: Drinking in a way that disregards the principles of life and health constitutes intemperance, and this is not refering to alcoholic beverages because I want to believe you aren’t an alcoholic. But even coffee, Lacasera, Coke- watch it! Temperance in all aspects of life is essential.
(18.) Pride in vanity and dress: Being overly concerned with external appearances and material possessions is a besetting sin. Humility should replace vanity and extravagance.
(19.) Fleshly indulgences: Pursuing sensual pleasures and self-indulgence is an easily besetting sin for many.
(20.) Unbelief: Distrusting God’s truth and questioning His promises is an easily besetting sin in others that must be overcome.
(21.) Neglect of duty: Acknowledging one’s obligations but neglecting to fulfill them is a besetting sin that needs to be forsaken. Confession should be accompanied by sincere efforts to do what is right.
Besetting sins do not have to control us. In Christ, we have been set free from our sins and are no longer slaves to sin (John 8:36).
We are dead to sin. Galatians 2:20 says: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”
As we lay aside “the sin that so easily entangles”, we should:
– avoid tempting situations and relationships, making “no provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14, NKJV).
– pray for wisdom and strength to change our habits.
– saturate ourselves in Scripture (Psalm 1:1–2; John 17:17).
– immediately seek God’s wonderful mercy and grace IF we slip. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The second aspect of God’s Word to us today is:
NEGATIVE HABITS
A habit develops once you’ve trained yourself to act a certain way in certain situations. For example, maybe you need an alarm everyday to wake up. That is a habit that you’ve developed.
We have good and bad habits. Positive and negative habits. But the easiest to develop are usually the bad, negative ones! And they stop us from being what the Lord wants us to be. They inhibit our growths. They stop us!
2 Peter 2:19 says: They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
If you are stuck in a bad habit, then that habit has a hold on you. You probably don’t have the power in yourself to break free from the habit. You are a slave to the bad habit.
Romans 7:15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
This is what it feels like to be stuck in a bad habit. You do things you don’t want to do. You just automatically do the wrong thing.
At most, you think about the benefits of your bad habits, but you don’t consider the negative consequences.
Bad habits are common to all of us. They’re the price we pay for being human. But God doesn’t want us to love naturally. He wants us to live supernaturally! We have to forsake these bad habits that are common to men and be delivered from their grips.
These negative habits are might not even be sins. But they can lead to sin. They can lead to sinful tendencies. Some include:
Procrastination: Delaying important tasks and responsibilities can lead to stress and missed opportunities, hindering us from fulfilling our God-given purposes.
Negative Self-Talk: Engaging in self-criticism and negative thoughts can harm our self-esteem, preventing us from recognizing our worth as beloved children of God.
Overindulgence in Technology: Spending excessive time on screens and social media can negatively impact our relationships and distract us from connecting with God and others.
Complaining: Habitual complaining can create a negative atmosphere and weaken our faith in God’s provision and sovereignty over our lives.
Unhealthy Eating Habits: Consistently consuming unhealthy foods can harm the temple of the Holy Spirit, our bodies, leading to various health issues.
Lack of Exercise: Neglecting physical activity can affect our physical and mental well-being, preventing us from serving God effectively.
Excessive Spending: Overspending and living beyond our means can lead to financial stress, hindering our ability to be good stewards of God’s resources.
Gossiping: Engaging in gossip goes against God’s command to love one another and can damage relationships within the body of Christ.
Constantly Seeking Approval: Placing our worth in the opinions of others can distract us from seeking God’s approval above all else.
Avoiding Confrontation: Failing to address conflicts and difficult conversations can hinder reconciliation and growth in our relationships.
Excessive Comparisons: Constantly comparing ourselves to others can lead to jealousy and discontentment, instead of finding contentment in God’s unique plan for our lives.
Dwelling on the Past: Ruminating on past mistakes can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from fully embracing God’s forgiveness and grace.
Constant Complacency: Being complacent in our faith walk can hinder us from growing deeper in our relationship with God and serving others wholeheartedly.
Excessive Workaholism: Overworking without rest can lead to burnout and compromise our ability to be present in our relationship with God and loved ones.
Avoidance of Seeking Help: Refusing to seek support or counsel can hinder our spiritual and emotional growth, as God often works through others to guide us.
Fear of Failure: As Christians, we are called to trust in God’s plan and not be paralyzed by fear. Embracing faith means being willing to step out in obedience, even if it means facing potential failure. We can find comfort in knowing that God is with us, guiding our steps and using all things for His good purposes.
Perfectionism: Understanding that only God is perfect allows us to embrace our imperfections and weaknesses. Instead of striving for worldly perfection, we can seek God’s grace and rely on His strength to work through our weaknesses.
Passive Aggressiveness: As followers of Christ, we are called to communicate with love and grace. Choosing direct and honest communication, even in difficult situations, fosters understanding and promotes unity within the body of Christ.
Overcommitting: Being mindful of our limitations and setting healthy boundaries allows us to prioritize our relationship with God and effectively serve others without becoming overwhelmed.
Inability to Say No: Learning to say no when necessary is not selfish but wise. By recognizing our limitations and seeking God’s guidance, we can make choices that align with His will for our lives.
Dwelling on Worry and Anxiety: As believers, we are encouraged to cast our anxieties on the Lord, trusting in His care and provision. Replacing worry with prayer and thanksgiving brings peace and strengthens our faith in God’s faithfulness.
Holding Grudges: Embracing forgiveness is central to our Christian faith. Letting go of grudges allows us to experience healing and reconciliation, reflecting God’s love and mercy in our interactions with others.
Impulsive Spending: Practicing stewardship with God’s resources enables us to use our finances in ways that align with His purposes and promote financial well-being.
Ignoring Emotional Needs: Acknowledging and processing our emotions before God fosters emotional health and allows Him to bring healing and restoration to our hearts.
Lack of Time Management: Being intentional with our time allows us to honor God in our daily routines, ensuring that we prioritize spiritual growth, relationships, and service.
Excessive Procrastination: Recognizing and addressing procrastination helps us be diligent stewards of the time and talents God has entrusted to us.
Neglecting Self-Care: Nurturing our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being enables us to better serve God and others with renewed strength and joy.
I can go on and on but let me stop here. You know what your own peculiar bad habit is. It is stopping you from growing. It is stopping you from being who God wants you to be.
Unless we openly confess these besetting sins and negative habits to God and decide not to engage in them anymore, we might not get the freedom our soul direly needs.
Let’s see Proverbs 28:13. It says:
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
There is a need for you and me to confess these sins and habits, renounce them, and vow with God helping us that we will not go back to them again.
Can we do that quickly? It’s time to examine yourselves as the scriptures says in 2 Corinthians 3:5
Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye, not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.
Check yourself dear sisters in the lord.
Man, know thyself!
What are your bad habits?
What besetting sins and negative habits have you given room to in your life which in turn has resulted in you operating below the standard for which the Lord has called you
It’s time to go to the Calvary and openly renounce those sins and begin to ask for mercy.
Before we pray, can we take this song?
NO HIDING by Theophilus Sunday
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SHALL WE PRAY?
Lord, have mercy on me today! Lord, be merciful unto me, here I am. Naked I am before You. Have mercy oh Lord on me in the Mighty Name of Jesus.
I am just a wretched sinner who was saved by grace. I confess Lord that some negative habits are still finding expressions in me. Oh Lord, ntervene in my life today speedily in your mercy. Let your mercy prevail over my case today.
If the son shall set me free, I shall be free indeed. Set me free today in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ!
Lord, I desire to be free indeed from my struggles and weaknesses. Oh, Lord, help my infirmities.
I no longer want to be held captive by the laws of the flesh, set me free by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Lord, I receive my freedom today by the blood of Jesus Christ from negative habits and besetting sins that want to destroy my destiny.
Plead the blood of Jesus over the negative habits, besetting sins 21 times. Mention them to the Lord. Be specific to each one that you have observed its trend in your life.
After pleading with the blood of Jesus, begin to affirm your freedom right now:
I decree and declare today that I am free from every besetting sin.
I decree and declare that I am set free from every negative habit and addiction.
I decree and declare no longer shall I be under the bondage of sins and negative habits. I am set free!
I decree and declare that I shall no longer be captive to sins and their consequences. I am free!
I decree and declare that if the son shall set me free, then I am free indeed. So, I declare my freedom right now in Jesus’ mighty name.
I declare right now that I am free indeed from…….{Keep on mentioning them before the Lord and declare your freedom}
Henceforth, these sins become a taboo unto my spirit, soul, mind, and body.
Henceforth, engaging in these sins or addictions become a sour taste in my mouth, I hate them and no longer go near them.
Henceforth, I begin and receive the grace to flee from these sins and I will not fall a victim of them again.
I no longer live for myself; the life I live now is in Christ Jesus, I do this by faith in Him, resting in His love for me.
I partake of Christ’s divine nature therefore I have the power to will and to do God’s good pleasure.
I meditate on God’s word day and night; His word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
God’s word shapes the way I think and shows me the best way to live life and He guides my decisions.
I have an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. I reign in life through Jesus Christ.
I am God’s own, His expensive purchase and so my body and every part of my being brings glory to God.
I think and dwell on things that are true and pure, and I focus my mind on things above, not on earthly things.
The Spirit of God controls my mind therefore I no longer set my eyes on things that the flesh desires rather I set my mind on the things the Spirit desires.
My mind is governed by the Spirit therefore I have life and peace in my mind and the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God
I am no longer motivated by sinful appetites and impulses but rather I am controlled by the impulses of the Spirit of God because His life now flows through me.
I live by the power of the Holy Spirit therefore I am habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body.
I am led, constantly directed, and guided by the Spirit of God, because I am a daughter of God.
Begin to thank the Lord for what he has done.
Keep on praying as led.
When you are done, raise your journal and pray over your written you pray over it.
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Let’s round off with this prayer song.
