Kill Whatever Kills Your Love for God: Overcoming Sin as Believers

Kill Whatever Kills Your Love for God

As believers, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This is the greatest commandment, and it should be the driving force of our lives. However, there are things that can kill our love for God and hinder our walk with Him. These things are often called sin, and they must be identified and eliminated if we are to grow in our relationship with God.

The Danger of Sin

Sin is often seen as a harmless indulgence, something that can be controlled and managed. However, sin is dangerous and deadly. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and that sin leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Sin is not something that can be tamed or harnessed; it is a force that seeks to destroy us.

One of the most famous stories in the Bible is that of Adam and Eve. They were living in perfect harmony with God, but then they sinned. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and their sin brought death into the world. Sin separates us from God, and it can lead to eternal separation if not dealt with.

As Christians, we have been saved from the penalty of sin through the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23). However, we still struggle with sin in our daily lives. The apostle Paul describes this struggle in Romans 7:15-20:

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Paul acknowledges that sin is living within him, and that it is a constant battle to do what is right. This is a struggle that we all face, but it is a struggle that we must overcome if we are to grow in our relationship with God.

Kill Whatever Kills Your Love for God

So, how do we overcome sin? The answer lies in the title of this article: we must kill whatever kills our love for God. This means identifying the things in our lives that are hindering our relationship with God, and eliminating them.

Jesus tells us that if our right eye causes us to stumble, we should gouge it out. If our right hand causes us to stumble, we should cut it off (Matthew 5:29-30). This is not meant to be taken literally, but it illustrates the seriousness with which we should approach sin. We must be willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate sin from our lives.

One way to identify the things in our lives that are hindering our relationship with God is to examine our behavior and our thought patterns. Are we engaging in activities that are contrary to God’s word? Are we entertaining thoughts that are not pleasing to Him? These are signs that there may be sin in our lives that needs to be eliminated.

Another way to identify sin in our lives is to examine our relationships. Are there people in our lives who are leading us away from God? Are there relationships that are toxic or unhealthy? These are also signs that there may be sin in our lives that needs to be eliminated.

Once we have identified the things in our lives that are hindering our relationship with God, we must take action to eliminate them. This may mean making difficult decisions, such as ending a relationship or giving up a favorite activity. It may mean seeking help from a counselor or a mentor. Whatever it takes, we must be willing to do it in order to grow in our relationship with God.

Overcoming Sin

Eliminating sin from our lives is not easy, but it is possible. The first step is to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God. The Bible tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Confession is not just a one-time event; it is an ongoing process. We must be willing to continually examine our lives and confess our sins to God. This requires humility and a willingness to be vulnerable, but it is essential if we are to overcome sin.

Another key to overcoming sin is to fill our minds with God’s word. The psalmist writes, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). When we fill our minds with God’s word, we are less likely to be tempted by sin. We are also better equipped to recognize sin when it does appear.

Finally, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin. The apostle Paul writes, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we have the power to overcome sin and to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The Benefits of Killing Sin

Eliminating sin from our lives is not just about avoiding punishment; it is about experiencing the fullness of life that God has for us. When we eliminate sin from our lives, we are better able to love God and to love others. We are better able to experience joy, peace, and freedom.

The apostle Paul writes, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). When we eliminate sin from our lives, we are no longer enslaved to its power. We are free to live the life that God has called us to live.

Jesus tells us, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundant life is only possible when we eliminate sin from our lives and live in obedience to God.

Conclusion

Sin is a deadly force that seeks to destroy us. It is not something that can be tamed or managed; it must be eliminated. As believers, we must be willing to identify the things in our lives that are hindering our relationship with God and to eliminate them. We must be willing to do whatever it takes to grow in our relationship with God, including confessing our sins, filling our minds with God’s word, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.

The benefits of killing sin are many. We are able to experience the fullness of life that God has for us, and we are free to love God and to love others. So, let us be diligent in our pursuit of holiness, and let us kill whatever kills our love for God.