Having seen how deadly greed can be in the previous post, one may decide to ask the preacher, ‘What is the way to overcome this insatiable pit of uncontrolled desire?’ The answer to this lies in the word of God.
As we discussed in the previous post on greed, it is vital to note that greed is not simply an anti-body type of sin; it is a cancerous one. Unlike a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection that enters the body and creates disorder, cancer arises when a cell mutates and begins to grow abnormally. One crucial aspect of these growths is that they cannot simply be removed; they require treatments, such as chemotherapy, to effectively eliminate the cancer.
Similarly, you cannot rid yourself of greed as easily as you might choose to stop stealing, fighting, or fornicating. Greed is ingrained in human nature, and once it has escalated and become cancerous, it cannot simply be ignored. Therefore, there are strategies that can help one combat the sin of greed and overcome it. It’s important to remember that the word “overcome” implies that there is a battle that must be fought and won. The Spirit of God is happy when we have won this fight, akin to the world celebrating cancer survivors. Below is how to overcome the deadly sin of Greed
- Overcoming Greed through the help of the Saviour
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – (Matthew 1:21)
The bottom line here is that Jesus can help. He is the sin doctor. His saving grace is the surgery that cuts away the cancerous growth, even though surgery does not entirely eradicate cancer. One who wants to defeat greed must turn to the Saviour of mankind. It is He who has been ordained to take away the sins of His people. A desperate heart must cry out to Jesus like Barthemeous the blind, who said, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” One in need should emulate what Peter did when he was drowning. He cried, saying, “Lord, save me!” Greed kills, but Jesus came to give us life.
2. Walking in the Spirit
Certain sins do not simply disappear, especially those that are ingrained in human nature, such as envy, anger, and greed. It requires an intentional decision to follow the leading of the Spirit and to obey His prompting and His word. This is similar to advising a sick patient to avoid things that could cause cancer to return.
At some time in Paul’s life, he was faced with a cancerous plague that broke his very will to do what was right. Here is an excerpt from the book of Romans, chapter 7:15-25
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Notice that the Apostle Paul, after his lengthy reflection on his struggles in life, concludes that it is through Jesus Christ that he will be delivered from this body of death. Now, death or the body of death implies the natural state of the man who does not know the saving grace of Jesus. A dead body cannot influence its reality even if it wants to.
In Chapter 8, Apostle Paul begins another detailing of how he won his battle after Christ aided him in overcoming death’s grip.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Paul discussed the concept of walking according to the Spirit, which means willingly submitting to the guidance, instructions, and directives of the Spirit. These directives can come daily, momentarily, or even instantaneously, guiding how to live, act and react to situations. Submitting to these dictates will help to mortify the flesh.
Walking in the Spirit also entails knowing the Word of God and adhering to it. It involves understanding what the Spirit desires and acting upon those desires, even when it conflicts with one’s own will. At times, our flesh may express its fallen nature, but we must resist and say no, having already learned the ways of the Spirit. Each time we reject the desires of the flesh, the Spirit grows stronger, and we gain life. Conversely, when we align with the flesh, the Spirit weakens, and the flesh gains more ground.
The act of denying greed and doing deeds that oppose it will enable the Spirit of God to eradicate greed. This is called spiritual chemotherapy. However, one must first discern the promptings of the Spirit and His instructions. This leads us to the final step: consistent exposure to the Bible as immunotherapy.
3. Ardent exposure to God’s Word (immunotherapy)
Scripture-based immunotherapy is crucial for halting the growth of greed and other sinful behaviours. Diligent exposure to the Word of God empowers one to recognise what the Spirit delights in and what the Spirit of God despises. Listening to sermons, engaging in Bible studies, and meditation are essential steps to eradicate greed and many other sins. As David boldly declared, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11.
Summarily, to overcome greed and combat it effectively, there are three key steps to follow:
- Bring your struggles with greed to Jesus the Saviour.
- Follow and align your life with the guidance of God’s Spirit.
- Immunise yourself with God’s Word to serve as your protective shield.
