Do the Opposite

 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Eph 4:28-32 NKJV).

One way to live your new life in Christ is to do the opposite of your old life. Combat the flesh with reverse behavior. If you used to steal, give. If you were abusive with your mouth, learn to edify others with your speech. If you were full of malice, practice being kindhearted. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but follow His promptings to live a holy life.

Instead of trying to stop doing the sins that plague you, because that just keeps the temptation alive, focus on doing what is good. It is much easier to do good by faith and the Holy Spirit's empowerment than to stop doing something sinful.

Let me give you an example from my golfing days. Some golf holes have narrow fairways with out-of-bounds on one side and water on the other. If you think, “Don’t hit it out of bounds,” that is likely what you will do. Why? Because your brain doesn’t understand the word don’t. The last thing it heard was “Hit it out of bounds.”

This is true in your battle with sin. If you concentrate on “Don’t be angry,” You are concentrating on anger. You are keeping it active in your mind. And we know, each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death (Jas 1:14b-15 NAS95).

Therefore, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Php 4:8 NAS95). Amen.