Starving, but filling

I have heard it said that there are some sins that need to be starved to death. In other words, don't feed the temptation. A person that has a problem with drinking should not drive past the bar, for example. Someone that has problems with gossiping, should probably avoid prolonged gatherings with those that tend to gossip. Someone that has tendencies toward lustful thoughts should stay away from the gas stations with explicit magazines right by the checkout.

And yet, I have also heard it said that if you are cooperating with the Lord to weed out a particular sin in your life, there will be a void there and it needs to be filled with things of the Lord. So if you are having problems with anger or bitterness, starve the angry and bitter thoughts by these thoughts:

Phil 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

There are certain sins that are so difficult, and we try and try to pull ourselves off the ground by our bootstraps, trying in vain to change. ("I'm not going to get angry this time...No, I'm not going to get angry this time...I mean it, I'm not going to get angry this time!") God knows the struggle. He knows the purpose in the struggle. He has his perfect timing. Don't feed the sin, look to Jesus, feed on His Word. And as I read from Elisabeth Elliot recently...when you don't know what to do, do like Paul and Silas did when they were chained in prison...pray and sing! The chains just might break off...