Many years ago, I received the following question: “Lately, Ihaven’t had trouble staying away from sin, and I want it to stay that way.Usually when I hit a high point like this, I get lazy and screw up again. Itoften seems that sin will creep up behind me, and then there I am having todeal with it and try to get back to where I left off. Could you give me adviceto avoid falling into that pattern again?”

Regarding prospective sin, keep your mind and heart on Christ,not on the temptation or weakness.

“Since, then, you have been raised withChrist, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the righthand of God. Set your minds on things above, not onearthly things. For you died, and your life is nowhidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is yourlife, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:14).

For more advice on this topic, read my Howto Be a Strong Christian: Walking in the Light blog post series.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships