Do you find yourself committing the same sin over and over? Do you want victory over these bad habits, what the old theologians called “besetting sins”?The first step towards freedom from wrongdoing is to develop a healthy fear of God. If we fear Him, we shall not want to displease Him, nor shall we dare to risk His anger. “By the fear of the LORD [one] departs from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). But how can we learn to fear God? By receiving His words and storing them up in our hearts. “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Search the Bible to find passages that speak directly to your weak points. Memorize those verses and think about them often. When you are tempted, recite those words in your mind, and ask God to make them true in your life. In short, use “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” to gain the victory over Satan’s wiles (Ephesians 6:17). That’s what Jesus did (Matthew 4:4-10). O God, strengthen me by Your word, that I might fear You and know You, through Jesus Christ. Amen.