So many of us are stuck in a sin cycle.

The problem isn't that we aren't aware (most of us know when we keep running back to something that we shouldn't). The problem isn't that we just need to stop sinning (this isn't going to be a reality until eternity with Jesus). The issue isn't even that we just need to weather the storm and accept the reality that "this is just who we are" (because you are not your sin, you are a son or daughter of God).

The problem is that we fight wrong.

And when we fight wrong, we stay stuck longer.

Have you ever heard of riptides in the ocean? If not, do yourself a favor and Google what they are if you want to be aware of the very scary reality that every time you get into the ocean, there is a very powerful undercurrent trying to pull you away from the shore.

When I was 13, I got stuck in one, and to this day I am hesitant every time that I step into the ocean.

I was out with my older brothers and out of nowhere I went underwater and was physically unable to get away from what felt like an underwater tornado. I fought and flailed and then I felt my foot hit the sand and oriented myself enough to stand up. It might've only been 30 seconds or so, but it felt like minutes, and it marked me for life.

After this encounter, I learned that (by the grace of God) I did exactly what I was supposed to do. I stood up. The reality is that the harder that you fight against riptides, the harder it becomes to escape them, and they can actually kill you.

I think this is actually a brilliant picture of sin.

Yes, there is an element of fighting against sin and the enemy's hold on our lives. We need to have tools, grit, habits, and resilience to quote Scripture and stand on truth while also living accountable to those around us. We have to learn to fight well.

But… we also just have to learn how to stand up. And get out of the riptide of sin.

Fighting against sin isn't always flailing, kicking, and screaming.

It's often just standing up. And moving away.

After all, if you're familiar with the passage in Ephesians 6 all about the armor of God, read it really quickly and notice how many "offensive" words there are related to our action. Are we told to put the armor on and then fight? No. What are we told to do?

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Did you see it? Stand firm. And pray.

Fighting sin well is usually standing firm, and praying.

In other words, understanding that the fight isn't all on you.

We can exhaust ourselves and spend time, effort, and energy fighting against a spiritual enemy who is way smarter and more cunning than us or… we can stand up. And change our environment. And not put ourselves in situations where we can get caught up in sin any longer. This is actually the smarter way to fight.

Not harder, smarter.

That's wisdom.

To use my analogy, you can always exit the ocean.

As pastor and author JP Pokulda puts it, "change your playmates and your playground." Meaning, in order to follow God well, you may have to change some things about your life. You may have to stand up and refuse to flail against sin's pull anymore.

It's not willpower, it's not brute strength, it's changing the where in order to change the who. Change your environment to redirect who you become.