An Old Testament proverb says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness” (Proverbs 26:11). And I’ll be the first to say, “Woof, woof.” More times than I care to admit, I foolishly feast on my own sinful puke—figuratively speaking. And it always leaves me (and others) feeling sick in the stomach.
What’s the deal? Why do I keep going back?
Apparently, I’m not the only one perplexed by this problem. Speaking about his own personal struggles with sin, the apostle Paul wrote, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15). Paul goes on to say, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (Romans 7:21-23).
When we struggle with returning to our foolishness, let’s admit that believers in Christ are still prone to sin. Refusing to recognize this is simply another form of foolishness. The apostle John wrote, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” (1 John 1:8).
So the truth of the matter is this: sin is an ugly reality of life in a broken world. The upside is that we no longer have to be dominated by it. There is an answer! (Romans 7:25).
Paul also said that through our relationship with Jesus and by becoming more of who He intends us to be, we can gain victory over sin and its attempts to control our lives.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
More:
God’s forgiveness is another answer to the sin in our lives. Check out 1 John 1:9.
Next:
Where do you tend to foolishly return? What can you do to keep from repeating the same sins over and over again?
lindagma on May 21, 2011 at 6:59 am
It’s what makes heaven so appealing to me…no more struggle!
Soldier4Christ on May 21, 2011 at 7:43 am
I totally can relate to what Paul wrote, though I won’t allow Satan to trick me into using that as an excuse. Though I sin sometimes I will not give up, I am seeing more and more each day how we have to die to self and just what that really means. I am weak but my Jesus is strong and He will carry me in my times of weakness. I will be so happy when we can go home and enjoy not having to struggle against sin everyday. When I am tempted I have to remember that I am to surrender all to Jesus…not just some but all.
lynorey on May 21, 2011 at 9:29 am
what we done wrong will eventually return and causes more trouble. That’s why Jesus said that when somebody wronged us, learn to forgive. If we try to fight back and got even, sooner or later, we will reap the reward of what we have done.
pampauley65 on May 21, 2011 at 9:45 am
Wow! Paul was speaking for me. I always thought Psalm 51 was speaking for me but the scripture today is just how I feel. I have read it many times but after this last week it hold a whole new significance for me. Amen! What hope Paul gives.
Thank you, Jeff, for bringing this reminder.