How to Find Victory for Overcoming Weaknesses

We probably all have weaknesses or sins that we fall into frequently. Imagine knowing the simple steps to overcome them. In this post I’m going to show you how, and I have included a free worksheet to help. #thrive #weaknesses #overcoming #spiritualgrowth #biblicaltruths #help #victory

We all struggle. Imagine knowing the simple steps to find victory for overcoming weaknesses. I have included a free worksheet to help.


Although I’m not perfect in the process, I have tested the Word and have seen the real power of God bring change in my life. The problem is often me; I have to crack open my Bible and see what God has to say—and then apply it!

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17 ESV

The struggle is there—it’s real and common to all. I told you about my struggle to obey God not too long ago. Since then? My spirit has been playing tug of war with my flesh big time. But I know this works. I became free from so many sins in the past that I don’t want to become fruitless in any area.

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so  prove to be My disciples. John 15:8 NASB

Why Does It Matter to Overcome Weaknesses?

God is glorified when we are producing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are sandwiched between a list of fleshly deeds (v. 19-21), and this:

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 NASB

One day I discovered some little winged creatures in parts of the front room. I thought they were coming from my plants. I killed them for two days before I realized they were quickly multiplying. My husband took one look and said, “Termites.”

Unfortunately, it was the weekend and the exterminator couldn’t come until Monday. Have I mentioned before that I hate bugs? Friends, I had nightmares that night. When we came home from church on Sunday afternoon, they had covered the floor almost to the back of the house! I thought I was going to go crazy. God bless all exterminators. The man came and eradicated the little wood eaters.

Letting fleshly deeds live on is like inviting a bug infestation to take up residence in your life. So you go through the process of crucifying your flesh in an area, after that it becomes more like killing an occasional bug that invades.

Can We Change Ourselves?

Does this process only modify behavior? I’ve tried “being good” and it doesn’t work. God does the changing as we apply the Word. What do I mean by “apply the Word”? That’s when we build new habit patterns by thinking differently according to God’s Word, which is actually repentance. Ephesians 5:26 tells us that we are sanctified and washed with the Word.

How to Find Victory for Overcoming Weaknesses

One – Identify the Area

The Holy Spirit convicts (not condemns) us, and that’s when we know to deal with a weakness or sin.

Two – Cast Down Lies

Our flesh stinks. It kind of reminds me of rotting fruit. Gross, right? Well, fruit flies are attracted to rotting fruit. Think of the fruit flies as lies that hinder us from producing fruit for the kingdom. I ask myself questions like: What excuses am I giving into? Are they excuses that are causing me to disobey God? Am I believing lies from the enemy? Flies can be eliminated with fly traps. That’s when casting down lies and taking excuses captive is necessary. We can transform weaknesses into victory by doing 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

Three – Stand on Scriptures

Find scriptures to overcome the specific area. I will often plug a keyword into the search box of an online Bible and go with the ones that God illuminates. Using the opposite of a keyword is often helpful as well.

Four – Pray Opposites

The battle is there. We’re torn between not wanting to sin and lusting after sin. These feelings are opposite of each other. Here’s how you deal with that: you use God’s pattern of opposites—put off, put on.

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:9-10 ESV

After looking up the greater power of God to apply, say it and pray it. (e.g. “I put off lying and put on speaking the truth.”) Doing so will help new habit patterns to be established. Wrap up the prayer with thanking God for change by the power of His Word.

Five – Take Natural Action 

Finally, take action in the natural where the Spirit leads. For example, choosing to forgive and hang out again with a friend that cut deeply. Or taking a walk to let out steam when angry. Or posting index cards with the chosen verses all over the house to help with memorizing them.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14 ESV

The ones who are diligent to follow this pattern are the ones who become more spiritually mature.

God does the changing as we apply the Word. #ThrivinginChrist #victory Click to Tweet

What are some new habit patterns you would like to implement?


Insider Resource

I have created a worksheet for overcoming weaknesses and some sample charts to print or download from the Insider Resources page. For KRB Insiders only.

Want to thrive with other KRB Insiders and have access to exclusive resources like the worksheet for overcoming weaknesses? Sign up here.


Want to help others find victory for overcoming weaknesses? Use the icons below to share this post!

SaveSave

SaveSave

Similar Posts

31 Comments

  1. Horace Williams Jr. says:

    Thank you for sharing these tips based on biblical truths Kelly. Truth be told I cannot stand bugs myself. We must carefully guard our hearts against the infestation of sin. Keeping God’s word close is key. I love what you state about changing our habits based on God’s word. It is something that has helped me tremendously in the spiritual battles that exist. Thank you again for these words of wisdom. I hope you have a fantastic weekend and God bless you and yours

    1. There are actually people out there who like bugs, but I’ll never understand why! I’m happy to hear you’ve seen new habits emerge from using the Word. God’s Word is powerful! I love it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Horace; it’s great to see you here again! God bless you!

  2. Kristi Woods says:

    Your termites gave me the creepy crawlies. Yes, thank God for exterminators! (Good analogy, by the way.) Kelly, good post. A friend and I walked through these very steps just yesterday. What a prayer session when the Holy Spirit convicts then guides a gal into freedom! #chasingcommunity

    1. Sorry for giving you shivers, Kristi! So cool that you and your friend just went through the same process to find freedom. God is good! Thanks for your comment. Love seeing your smiling face around here. 🙂 Praying you stay nourished and thriving this week!

  3. These are some great “how to” tips, so needed by so many. It seems like there are a lot of good sermons out there, but a lot of them don’t include actual “how to” tips for putting the new behaviors into practice.
    Great job!
    I totally agree with your analogy on the insect infestation being like letting sin stay. I was thinking that too the last couple of summers when the ants came marching in. 🙂 I wrote about it here: https://plantedbylivingwater.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/sneaky-little-ants/
    and here: https://plantedbylivingwater.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/june-musings-the-ants-go-marching-in/

    1. Thanks, Ruth! It seems the only good I can get out of bugs is spiritual analogies. 😉 At any rate, I’m all about the practical. I need it so here’s hoping it helps someone else. Blessings to you!

  4. Don’t you just love how interactive the Word is? Beyond a book, when you open it and apply it, it’s power in your life. — Thanks for the tips, Kelly. 🙂 And, thanks for sharing with #ChasingCommunity! ((sweet blessings))

    1. Yes, I love it! Thanks for visiting, Brenda. So glad to be a part of Chasing Community. 🙂

  5. I love the way you expressed “pray opposites.” This post is so purposeful in your direction for taking much-needed action in the direction of righteousness!

    1. Thanks, Michele! Always a pleasure to see you here. 🙂

  6. This is such gold, Kelly. Thanks so much for sharing y’alls story and helping me to visualize better. I really want this worksheet! Will I get it in my email since I signed up already? I clicked the link but it said password protected. Thanks again!!

    1. Yes! The password is in the email. If you don’t get it, please let me know. Voxer is fastest. Thanks so much for joining me!

  7. Kelly, this is a really good article full of wisdom. I really like #4 – Pray Opposites. I am always praying agains, but sometimes forgot to invite in the good. This point will help me remember that!

    1. Praying opposites has been a game changer for me. I’m glad you’re applying it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  8. Love this reminder to put off, put on. Will use that in my next book on the fruits of the spirit (I’m writing it this weekend!).

    1. Ah, I guess you’re writing now, so praying for God’s anointing on your words, friend!

Comments are closed.