Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14.
What if you feel so hooked on a certain sin that stopping seems impossible? You try over and over, but your body won’t comply, leaving you feeling doomed and condemned. Is there hope of breaking free? Yes, there is! You have the right to the tree of life.
I recall being deeply entrenched in a particular sin. One day, I told a friend that if I were tempted again, I wouldn’t be able to say no—I would just say, “Jesus, take the wheel.” Then, I heard a quiet but unmistakable voice in my mind asking, “Are you saying I can’t help you stop sinning?” Immediately, Jude 24 came to mind: “Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” I felt God’s power working in me, giving me the strength to quit.
The temptation didn’t magically disappear, but God granted me the wisdom to navigate through it. He assured me that He is with me, understanding my struggles. He has empowered me to say no to this sin and others, showing me that quitting is indeed possible.
In Hebrews 12:1, Paul says: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We must take personal initiative and sincerely desire to be made whole. The desire to quit must come first, and then God will provide the power, wisdom, and knowledge to help us stop.
All of us, if not most, struggle with sins that easily entangle us—whether it’s gossip, addiction, disobedience, hate, or pride. But we must set them aside and run the race faithfully.
When a sin becomes habitual, it becomes part of our lifestyle, ingrained into our daily routine. But we must stop. Here are some practical steps to help you break free. Let’s use the acronym of this sentence to guide us.
All Prisoners Do Pass Court Repeatedly & Reform
Breaking bad habits can feel like an overwhelming challenge, but with intentionality and God’s help, freedom is possible. Let’s explore a practical approach using the acronym All Prisoners Do Pass Court Repeatedly & Reform:
A (All): Assess and Accept
Begin by assessing your life. Reflect on how you live and accept your current situation. There’s immense power in accepting oneself and acknowledging areas that need improvement. As 1 John 1:8 reminds us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Admitting our struggles is the first step toward overcoming them.
P (Prisoners): Pray
Pray to make a stand for God. Prayer is an intimate conversation with God, opening our hearts as we would to a friend. Ellen White says, “Prayer does not bring God down to us but brings us up to Him” (SC 93.2). Tell God about your weakness in a specific area, and express your desire to live for Him. Ask Him for the power to overcome and the strength to resist temptation.
D (Do): Decide
Make a firm decision to resolve the issue. The mind is powerful, and when we decide to honor God, He equips us to stand firm. Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Use your mind for God’s glory, deciding each day to move away from sin.
P (Pass): Pray Again
Pray to reinforce the decision you’ve made. Prayer keeps us connected with God, who strengthens us. As Ellen White beautifully notes, “We cannot weary or burden Him with our frequent heart-to-heart communications” (Pr 3.2). Tell God about your commitment and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you and provide encouragement.
C (court): Cut
Cut down the habit slowly. Understand your triggers and take deliberate steps to reduce the frequency or intensity of the habit. Even small, consistent steps are valuable. Don’t be discouraged if you stumble along the way. Learning to walk upright often involves falling, but what matters is picking yourself up and pressing on. Remember, God is with you, even when you falter.
R (Repeatedly): Replace
Replace the bad habit with something edifying. Once you identify your weaknesses and triggers, be prepared to substitute the bad habit with positive actions. For instance, if gossip is your struggle, shift the conversation to speak positively about others. If your issue is fornication, seek healthier ways to experience intimacy that aligns with God’s will.
R (Reform): Repeat
Repeat this entire process continually. Die to self daily, reminding yourself that “your old self was crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6), and now you live for Christ. Breaking bad habits is a daily effort that requires perseverance, prayer, and reliance on God’s strength.
Conclusion
Reformation and change is a journey that require deliberate effort. Some may say, “I don’t see the need to quit. This is enjoyable, and I’m not stopping anytime soon.” But, friend, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Are you sowing for eternity? Hunger and thirst after righteousness. Let your actions be hidden in Christ so that you may reap a harvest of life and one day enjoy the tree of life.
Every moment of time is precious, laden with eternal significance. Each decision we make is either for God or against Him. Let’s look beyond the fleeting pleasures of this life and glimpse the vastness of eternity. Don’t be discouraged or believe that Jesus is not able to help you overcome. He lives—He lives within our hearts and in heaven, interceding for us.
Too often, we grow discouraged and plead for our trials to be removed when instead we should be asking for patience to endure and grace to overcome. As Ellen White reminds us, “We should plead for patience to endure, and grace to overcome.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 310) Let us set aside the sins that so easily ensnare us and run the race with perseverance. Eternity is at stake.
How do we qualify for such a reward? Revelation 22:14 tells us: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.
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