Notes against sin - how to battle it

Sometimes I leaf through old notebooks. I have a lot of them, so it can become quite the pastime.

I love filling notebooks with words - words that mean something. I love owning notebooks, even if I don't need them. Whenever I walk by notebooks in a store, I have to pull myself away or I will buy one. I especially like leather or fauxleather-bound notebooks. I cannot explain why, because I have always liked them.

In one of my old (non-leather) notebooks, I found this written down:

Sin destroys lives. We must battle it by developing an abhorrence to sin.

1) Get a particular sense of the danger and evil of sin. 

It is life-destroying. It is crippling. It brings forth death. It grieves the Holy Spirit.

2) Reflect on the punishment  your sins deserve. 

Sin deserves the wrath of God. Sin deserves punishment. Marvel at the grace of God in Christ Jesus. He paid the deserved price. He is  your Redeemer. He has atoned. He has propitiated. He has taken the consequences of your sin upon Himself. He has given the consequences of His righteousness to you. Hunger after holiness. Hate even the garment stained by the flesh (Jude 23). Live to righteousness.

3) Be on guard against those situations that are conducive to temptation to sin. 

Fight! Suffer it not. Stand against the powers of darkness. Put on the armor of God. Be aware of what tempts you most. Be watchful of the prowling lion.

4) Meditate on the inconceivable greatness of God. 

Live coram Deo. Live in the light of the truth in Christ Jesus. Rely on Him. Cast your cares on Him. Abide in Him.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)