Walking in the Spirit-2: Winning the battle over sin

In reading Romans eight, we gain more insight into just what Paul means by walking according to the Spirit. He says,

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:5-6

It all works together. Considering ourselves dead and setting our mind on the things of the Spirit assist us in our fight for freedom.
If we keep our minds fixed on beating the problem (fulfilling the law), we fail. If we fix our minds on Christ, we find the victory we seek. Remember the sins that cling so closely? The writer of the book of Hebrews gives the same advice to win over clingy sins (addictions):

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

Paul links the two (setting our mind on Christ and being crucified) when he states,

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:2-3

In the book of Galatians, Paul rebukes the believers for trying to complete by the law, that which was begun by the Spirit (by grace). I love the way Eugene Petersen says it in his paraphrase, The Message.

“You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough.
Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?”
Galatians 3:1-3

An answer to our sin dilemma is coming into focus. We can’t beat sin by determining to keep the law. Winning comes when we begin to accept the gospel of grace as powerful and adequate enough to keep us from sin.
Perhaps contrasting the two methods will help us understand how walking in grace (the spirit) works:
If I battle according to the flesh, I concentrate on the law. If I battle according to the Spirit, I concentrate on grace. In the flesh, the emphasis is on me conquering sin. In the Spirit, the emphasis is on Christ in me conquering sin. In the flesh, I work. In the Spirit, God works. In the flesh, sin is central. In the Spirit, the cross is central. In the flesh, I’m seeking justification by works. In the Spirit, I accept the work of the cross as sufficient, a work of grace. In the flesh, I concentrate on me. In the Spirit, my eyes are on Christ.
Have you ever tried to not think a thought? The very act of not trying to think of something forces you to fail! This is a big part of the problem in trying to not sin. The very act of trying not to sin places sin in focus and we are ensnared by the temptation.
So what, do I just ignore sin?
Not exactly. Walking in the Spirit isn’t passive. It’s active with the focus on the Cross. And guess what happens when my thoughts are set on the things of the Spirit? Gratitude. Wonder. Jesus and his cross grow.
The good news about concentrating on Christ is that as he becomes my focus, my desire for sin falls away. I’ve beaten the addiction not by shear strength of my will, but by falling in love with Jesus.