What practical steps help us live as those "born of God" today? Our Starting Point: Born of God “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.” (1 John 5:18) Remember Who You Are • A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) • Set free from sin’s mastery (Romans 6:6–7) • Under Christ’s personal protection (John 10:28–29) Refuse Ongoing Sin • Identify habitual sins honestly (Psalm 139:23–24) • Renounce them decisively (Romans 6:11–12) • Replace them with Spirit-led actions (Ephesians 4:22–24; Galatians 5:22–23) Abide in the Protector • Daily remain in Christ through prayerful communion (John 15:4–5) • Meditate on His words so they “abide in you” (John 15:7) • Trust His promise: “the evil one cannot touch” the one He guards (1 John 5:18) Lean on the Spirit’s Power • Walk by the Spirit to “not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16) • Pray for fresh filling each day (Ephesians 5:18) • Expect the Spirit’s enabling to obey (Philippians 2:13) Guard Your Gates • “Above all else, guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23) • Screen media, conversations, and environments that feed temptation (Psalm 101:3) • Memorize Scripture to repel lies (Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:4) Suit Up for Battle • Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18) • Use the sword of the Spirit—Scripture—actively (v. 17) • Pray “at all times in the Spirit” (v. 18) Stay Connected to the Family • Gather faithfully with believers for encouragement (Hebrews 10:24–25) • Invite accountability; confess struggles “to one another” (James 5:16) • Serve others—love in action stifles self-centered sin (1 Peter 4:10) Keep Short Accounts with God • Confess immediately when you stumble (1 John 1:9) • Receive cleansing without lingering guilt (Psalm 32:5) • Learn from each fall; strengthen weak spots (Proverbs 24:16) Live Obediently Today • Practice quick obedience—delayed obedience breeds compromise (James 1:22) • Aim for faithfulness in small things; God honors it (Luke 16:10) • Let love for Christ motivate every command kept (John 14:15) Walk in Bold Confidence • “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4) • Stand firm; Christ “will keep you from stumbling” (Jude 24) • Anticipate victory—because being born of God means living by His overcoming life (1 John 5:4–5) |
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