Navigating Life From The Cross

Pastor Scott Thom discusses the challenges of overcoming difficult sins and offers guidance on how to grow spiritually and resist temptation. He emphasizes the importance of God allowing struggles to build spiritual strength, the role of fasting in overcoming sin, and the need for cultivating strong character traits. Pastor Scott encourages viewers to trust in God's process, cultivate virtues such as honesty and faithfulness, and cultivate a deep fear of the Lord to resist sin. Ultimately, overcoming sin requires faith, work, and a relationship with God.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does God sometimes allow us to struggle with sin instead of removing it immediately?
2. How does fasting help in resisting sin, and what role does self-control play in overcoming temptation?
3. How can we strengthen our character to resist the sins we struggle with?
4. How does having a strong fear of the Lord impact our ability to resist evil?
5. What are some practical ways to cultivate virtues that help us overcome sin (e.g., honesty, faithfulness, self-control)?

Prayer Points:

1. Strength to Overcome Sin: Pray for the strength to battle and resist the sins that have been difficult to overcome.
2. Spiritual Growth: Ask God to help you grow in virtues such as honesty, faithfulness, and self-control, building a strong foundation to resist temptation.
3. Guidance in Fasting: Pray for wisdom in incorporating fasting into your spiritual life to develop stronger self-discipline and fight against sinful habits.
4. Fear of the Lord: Pray for a deeper understanding of the fear of the Lord and a heart that honors and respects God's word and judgment.

Action Steps:

1. Start Fasting Regularly: Incorporate fasting into your spiritual routine to strengthen self-discipline and resist sin.
2. Work on Personal Character: Identify areas in your life where your character needs improvement, and take active steps to develop virtues such as honesty and faithfulness.
3. Reflect on Sin's Long-Term Consequences: Take time to reflect on how sin negatively impacts your life and cultivate a greater desire to resist it by developing a long-term perspective on God's will.
4. Practice Integrity Daily: In all your interactions and decisions, choose to act with integrity and honor God in all things, especially when faced with temptation.
5. Memorize Scriptures on Sin and Virtue: Memorize verses related to resisting sin and building virtue, such as Proverbs 8:13 and Isaiah 58:6, to strengthen your resolve.