We are all victims of sin. The Bible says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it has fully grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). While nobody is free from sin, that does not mean that it is ok to sin. Just because we ask for forgiveness after we sin does not make the offense ok either.
While It is extremely difficult to avoid sin, we must be aware that God wants us to focus on living a sinless life. Our Heavenly Father has given us the guide to living a righteous life in Christ. We have also been given the power to say no to all sin. Some Christians also wonder if there is any justification for sin. For example, if someone lies to you, do you also have a right to lie to them? There are no Bible passages that justify sin. We know from scripture that we are given a new identity and a new nature through Christ. Since there are no circumstances where sin is ok, we must identify the sins we’re committing and kill the behavior immediately.
We should begin by recognizing what triggers our sin. In Luke 17:1, Jesus tells His disciples, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.” In this passage, Jesus is expressing a very important truth, one that we should be applying to our lives. It’s also important that we shift our behavior accordingly. If we want to stop sinning, we must understand what is triggering our sins and take responsibility for the matter. The first step is repentance of sin. Next, we figure out why we are sinning. Finally, we call on God to repair any weak places in our hearts, minds, and souls. When this happens, we are refusing to live a life where we are objects of our sin. It is also important that we focus on our salvation and take joy in it. Joy is a crucial step in our victory over sin. Psalm 51:12 says, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” In this passage, David implores God. He wrote this after committing the sins of adultery and murder. We can see that David calls on God to return the joy of his salvation. This is imperative in our victory of sin. Ultimately, God sustains us with an eager spirit. If we want to fight against sin, we must take joy in being saved. God takes joy in our salvation.”
As Christians who are victims of sin, we must pay attention to the law. Too often, people believe that removing sin means too many rules and little enjoyment in life. We should not look at sin this way. God didn’t give us the law to keep us from living our best lives. God gave us the law to be clear about our sin and draw closer to Him. The Bible says, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God…” (Romans 3:19). While we can't always understand it, the law is good, and it allows us to see the true nature of God.
If you’re dealing with sin and trying to heal from it, you should turn to others for encouragement. If we want to move past sin, we should trust those who can help us overcome them. This would be other Christians who can walk with us. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” If you’re in a place where you’re feeling alone, you will also feel incredibly vulnerable. Remember, we are not created to go through the journey of sin alone. As Christians, we are called to love and serve those around us. When we turn to others for encouragement, we can find strength.
One of the biggest steps we can take to resist sin is by resisting the enemy. The enemy is a manipulator, and he will do everything in his power to fill us with empty promises. He wants to draw us away from God so that we are lost in our sin. We must be on guard and aware of the devil’s advances and ongoing presence around us. There is no Christian that won’t sin or struggle to stand firm in their faith. Even the most committed, steadfast believers will work through issues of sin. We have to constantly acknowledge the presence of our enemies. The enemy around us is the true source of darkness. The Bible says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). One of the greatest weapons we have in the war against the devil is our faith, wisdom, and the knowledge of Christ and God’s Word.
We will fall short. There is no Christian that won’t struggle with sin daily. Thankfully, God loves us unconditionally, even when we are lost in a world of sin. Though sinning is not ok, that doesn’t mean that God loves us any less when we do sin. Scripture tells us, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58). The real way to shift away from sin, and ultimately break its cycle, is to accept that we will always sin. We can never truly break free from the chains of sin. Think about it like this. If someone doesn’t keep from trying to save themselves, there is no way they can find knowledge in the truth of their salvation. The best way to try and live a less sinful life is to be conscious of God’s love and His grace that covers us daily. When we are totally aware of this, sin has no power over us.
