Dealing with Sin

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23

You accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, recognizing that He paid the penalty for your sins on the cross. You know that you’re forgiven, cleansed, and righteous in God’s eyes. But still, a particular sin plagues you. You think it’s gone and the faith is over, but the temptation comes back. You cave in again at a moment of weakness or a time when your guard I down. Maybe you even wonder how God can still love you.

You’re not alone. Paul expressed the same sentiment of frustration and exasperation. He said: “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Romans 7:19). Paul knew that even though he was saved, the power of sin was still there, doing daily battle with his new nature.

What is the solution? First, you must see your sin, including recurring sin, for what it is - an offense against a holy God that can only be removed by the blood of Jesus. Confess the specific sin to Him and refuse to become entangled by false guilt. You’re forgiven freely. Remember that you belong to Him completely; nothing else has the power to hold you captive. Turn to the One who frees you from sin when temptation strikes, and you will win ever time.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32