A CHILD OF GOD DOES NOT SIN (8)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*A CHILD OF GOD DOES NOT SIN.(8)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 John 5:14

*And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:*

*Insight and Highlight.*

God answers us when we pray in accordance with His will.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

John tells us the power behind receiving from God.

His writing in 1 John 5:14 tells us yet another strength of the child of God as he strives to overcome sin and other challenges of life.

John tells us that God answers any prayer request that we say to Him if we pray according to His will. He tells us that there is nothing prayer can not do when it aligns with the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

It is the will of God that we are His children and that praying according to His will confirms our identity as His children. So the child of God can be assured God will answer him because he prays according to His will.

Though the words of John may be generally applicable but it places more emphasis on the child of God who is expected to know how prayers prayed according to God's can be potent.

Since praying against sinning is God's will, the child of God is most assured that when he prays this prayer, God will hear him. John tells us that if we follow this guideline in 1 John 5:14 and ask God for help, He will help us. His answers will help the child of God overcome sin.

Prayer is fundamental, and on it lies life's victory and empowerment in spiritual warfare. Matthew 26:41, says, : *"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation...."*

Matt 6:13 tells us in the Lord's prayer *"....but deliver us from evil:....*

The Bible further makes it clear that when sin comes tempting us, fleeing from it is not cowardice.

A child of God can avoid sin if he flees from all appearance of evil, 1 Thess 5:22-24.

Paul says it is important for you to do this so that God could sanctify you, wholly and complete, and then your *"..... whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.*

This is a potent cure of sinfulness and Joseph's story tells us that the choice of the child of God to flee is a product of the fear of God in him and a product of a life committed to prayerful conduct and holiness.

Joseph's initial comment was Gen 39:9  *"....how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?*

Then followed by avoiding being with Potiphar's wife, Gen 39:10, and finally, he overcame sin when he fled, Gen 39:12.

The child of God must not undermine the devil's playhouse.

He must not be ignorant of Satan's devises, 2 Cor 2:11. These devises that the child of God must not be ignorant include rape, sexual assault or violation of your purity ref 2 Sam 13. He/she must watch out for unguarded moments, Gen 34.

This is not to say prayers do not work, but the recommendation to flee from all appearance of evil tells us that where evil and good are present, evil influence tends to prevail.

Evil is full to persistent persuasion, Gen 39:10 with enticing propositions to his soul.

At the point of the appearance of evil, the flesh is too weak to resist it without the Spirit, ref Matt 26:41.

Remember, it is God's will that a child of God prays against temptation and sin.

James tells us that one falls into sin because he is tempted and drawn *"......away of his own lust, and enticed.* Jam 1:14.

James is teaching us to work on ourselves, ref Philpn 2:12 and we must use every spiritual weapon to fight this lust which will result in death, if we are careless, ref Jam 1:15.

He finally wrote on this matter, admonishing us to not sin. He wrote, *Do not err, my beloved brethren.*, Jam 1:16.

If you want to be a child of God, watch and pray, and when you are faced with temptations, the power of God will help you to flee!

Prayerlessness is powerlessness.

The child of God does righteousness because he is able to pray.

Prayer sustains righteous living, and he who prays will have the support of God to live right.

When you are empty of the word and power of God, your flesh will be too weak to flee from any appearance of evil.

A child of God will pray to avoid the temptation that will make him sin!

Make sure you are watching and praying to God where He can hear you.

They are the powers behind fleeing!

*Remorse corner.*

It was the word of God in Joseph that helped him to flee from the appearance of evil.

*Call to Word action.*

If you are to flee from the appearance of evil, then prayer and other Christian spiritual weapons of our warfare must have done their perfect work in you.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Every manifestion of the true child of God finds itself on a foundation that stands sure in Christ, 2 Tim 2:19. No manifestation of the child of God stands alone. He must have been made complete just as He is complete in Christ, Col 2:10.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to watch and pray. Let me not fall into temptation to sin against You. Let me be a child of God to the end in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.