Feeling dejected by the many sins in your life? Are you in the danger of abandoning your faith because you aren’t able to overcome sin? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every Christian experiences this torturous trial. In this post, I talk about why we have a sinful inclination even after our salvation. We will also look into 5 steps of eluding from sinful ways. So take heart and read on; it is not the end of the road for you!
It’s apparent that God expects us to be upright. Simple as it seems, it is the most arduous task to do. We find ourselves making a lot of mistakes and feeling guilty in the end. Despite trying hard, not being able to get past our weaknesses is the worst feeling ever.
So, do our making mistakes really help us?
When we got saved, we thought that it will solve all our problems and even zap out sin from our lives! But we still find ourselves at the clutches of iniquity. So why does this happen?
Post-salvation, we continue to live in this world now as Christians – faced with worldly ordeals in our lives which are partly responsible for the fleshly inclinations we have. But there is also a spiritual element to it.
Apostle Paul spoke about this very struggle we experience as children of God trying to do the right thing but cannot:
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7:14-24(NKJV)
In this verse, Paul echoes every Christian’s inner desire to be good but often caught doing the opposite. But he doesn’t stop there:
I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:25(NKJV)
It’s clear from the above verse that the answer to the ongoing struggle against the slavery to sin is Christ. His singular act of crucifixion has given us hope to come out of our sinful nature and live under His salvation. He died for the sins of our past, present, and future.
So, quit feeling guilty about your sins and get back up on your feet!
But once you start living in Christ there is a war waging in us that is between the Spirit and the flesh. The following verse gives more clarity:
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)
So coming back to my question: does failing in our faith help?
Well, yes if we continue to strive forward, forgetting what lies behind (Philipians 3:13). It all depends on what we want. On the other hand, if we refuse to have an attitude to change for the best, then it will do us no good.
Here are 5 simple steps to overcome sin and live a healthy spiritual life. Oh, and keep in mind the first four steps are accomplished on the knees praying.
1. Remove the guilt
Staying guilty means being negative which is against God’s will. After all, God clearly knew when He had rescued a bunch of sinners such as ourselves. He knew and still knows what are the good and bad in us.
Make sure, you get on your knees first and ask Him for forgiveness, be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and removal of any guilt.
2. Repent quickly
Repentance is a prime step in restoring our relationship with Christ. Isaiah 59:1 says that because of our sins we are separated from God and hence He would not listen to us anymore. So it is imperative to repent as soon as possible to avoid any separation from God. The verse Jeremiah 15:19a makes it clear:
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.
3. Ask for grace
We are unable to do good by ourselves and we require a supernautural aid. Grace comes from God. It is “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings”. If you pray unto God to give you the grace to be upright and obedient before Him, the Holy Spirit will give you the power to do so.
4. Anointing of the Spirit
The anointing of the Holy Spirit banishes every works and tendencies toward sin. It is always better to uproot sin rather than allowing ourselves to wallow in it. It is the most effective method to stay strong in Christ.
5. Check your attitude
The right attitude is to get back to where you belong that is, in Christ. Make sure you keep a check on your attitude everytime so that you don’t get further vortexed into a life of sin and disobedience.
So there you go. When you make a conscious decision to follow God despite your shortcomings, God will help you become an upright person.
Finally, I want you to remember what God replied to Paul when he was faced with a challeging situation that would’nt even leave him after much prayer.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
He is not a God of wrath but a God of mercy. He sees each and every struggle we face and is ever willing to help us get through it. So stay positive and strive forward without giving up.
I wish you all the best in your journey of faith. Do you have anything to add to the points mentioned? Let me know in the comment box below.
God bless!
