[cogs]

OK, I know someone will post this verse, so I'll post it first:
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one].
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

What I'm asking, is how do you personally use tools to help you defeat sin? If these are some of the tools you use, how do you use them? In other words, do you have a method when you are tempted to sin?

[classyT]

Cogs,

I will share something that I heard a Pastor say one time. When trying to over come sin you need the three F's. Flee, fight, faith.

The word of God tells us that we are to flee our flesh. For example it says flee fornication, flee idolatry, flee youthful lusts... these are fleshy sins.

To overcome satan.. FIGHT. Perhaps I have a horrible thought running through my mind and I can't get rid of it. It is causing me to worry. Or Satan is tormenting me about the past or future. I am suppose to FIGHT him. HOW? I use the Word and I speak it outloud. He will flee from you. We are promised this.

To overcome the World.. we use our Faith. Like for instance when we love the world more than Jesus.. or the things of the World we need to focus on our Faith. Or when the world seems in chaos and we don't know what to do... Faith is the answer.

So, what I usually try to do is pinpoint exactly the nature of the sin and then decide which of the three F's are appropriate.

And of course the armor of God is important I like to take each piece and actually picture putting it on and understanding what it is doing for me. These are the tools that I use.

[arcura]

cogs,
I try to use all the tools mentioned in that passage.
I find that prayers to each of the three persons in the Trinity are very helpful particularly in dealing with temptation and in asking for guidance and inspiration.
To give you and example one of the prayers I use is short and answered quickly.
It is, "Lord, please, take this temptation from me."
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[cogs]

Very useful, thanks to both of you for the examples you gave... I think it is about understanding our position with god, not only to fight, but also for our own guidance.

[revdrgade]

These are "clothes" we should be wearing... or at least putting on NOW.

Not to have them on leaves us vulnerable when we are attacked. We won't have time to run and get the armor then. We would be like the "foolish virgins" without oil for our lamps.

The passage keeps saying "put on"(in the present) for what is to come(future):

Eph 6:13
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,
NIV

[arcura]

revdrgade,
VERY good!
Fred