Q: I always try to run away from sin, and when I think I’ve gotten away, it comes back. After I commit the sin, I feel as if I should be punished for my sin. Other times, I feel so bad that I think that God is disappointed, and I’m too embarrassed to tell anyone of my sin, what do I do? —Kristina
A: The Christian life is a life of struggle and growth. On this side of heaven, we will not be totally freed from this struggle. Like you, the apostle Paul writes of his struggle with sin: “I want to do what is right, but I can’t.I want to do what is good, but I don’t. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:18,24-25).
The Bible is clear that if you confess and repent of your sin, God will forgive you (1 John 1:9). Although Paul deemed himself to be the world’s worst sinner (1 Timothy 1:15-16), he knew with certainty he was forgiven. The awareness of his sinfulness did not weigh him down. He could live and love because he had experienced God’s mercy.
The psalmist understood the wideness and greatness of the forgiveness that was his when he confessed and repented of his sin. He celebrated God’s forgiveness: “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:8-14).
Some level of remorse and godly sorrow over our sins is needed and must be experienced if we’re to change our ways (2 Corinthians 7:10). But our focus should not be on how bad we are, but on how remarkable the mercy and forgiveness of God is! God’s mercy and grace, which we don’t deserve, need to be celebrated (Luke 15:32)! It’s only when we accept God’s forgiveness that we can live as God intends us to do.
To have victory over sin, you must decisively resolve that you are no longer going to be the servant of sin but the servant of Christ. You must want to walk in and be led by the Holy Spirit. “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires” (Galatians 5:16-17).
We need to recognize the role of Scripture in overcoming temptation and sin. Our Lord Himself demonstrated the power of God’s Word when He victoriously overcame Satan’s temptations with Scripture (Matthew 4:4, 7,10). “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9,11). A systematic, prayerful study of the Bible is an absolute prerequisite to defeating sin. And you must want to obey God’s Word. When Scripture becomes an integral part of your life, it fortifies you against sin’s enticement and power.
On several occasions, Christ told His disciples to pray that they might not fall into temptation (Matthew 6:13, Luke 22:40). And we need to do all we can to avoid temptation—things or places that tempt us. For instance, it’s impossible to have purity of life if you persist in visiting pornographic websites. We’re also commanded to “run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22; also 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Timothy 6:11).
Yes, we’re embarrassed to share our sin struggles with others. But there’s great value in sharing with another more mature person who can help you, pray for you and who will hold you accountable, so that you will not give in to temptations (James 5:16). —K.T. Sim
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mike wittmer on January 21, 2014 at 9:16 am
These are such powerful, life-giving Scriptures. It helps me to remember that I should be punished for my sin, but that is the very reason Jesus came. He bore the punishment I deserve so that I could receive the Father’s forgiveness. What grace!
daisymarygoldr on January 25, 2014 at 4:18 pm
In Romans 7, Paul writes of his struggle with sin not as a Christian but before he met Jesus Christ. By following the law, he was trying to overcome sin in his own strength. But in Romans 8, Paul talks about the grace of God who sent Jesus Christ to set him free from the power of sin so he could live in the power of God’s Spirit.
And God’s grace gave us the Holy Spirit to live in us, who gives us the power to master sin. After being set free from the shackles of sin, when we continue to sin it is because we want to, not because we have to.
Kristina, sin is a way of life that leads to death. How can a way come back? Sin does not come back… you go back to sin— back to that past way of life just like a dog returning back to its vomit. This is because you love the sensual pleasure of your sinful nature rather than love God and His way that leads to life.
Want to know what you can do about your sin? Let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. When you let the Spirit control your mind you will not think about ways to indulge your sinful desires. Practically, this means to make every effort to avoid people, places or things that cause you to sin.
If you are too embarrassed to tell someone of your sin, tell it to God. Don’t worry about disappointing Him. He knows our human nature and nothing is hid from Him. Jesus was tempted just like we are but did not give in to that temptation and sin. The same Spirit of God will come to live in you and help you overcome your sin.