Those who are lost in the world have what could be referred to as an excuse for their actions. They do not know God. Nor do they understand the penalty of their sins. The same cannot be said for the born again believer. Because the Christian now knows better and is no longer ignorant of the things of God like they once were.
1 Peter 1:14–15 (ESV)
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
If you have been a Christian for any length of time the truth is you know right from wrong. You know what sinful actions are and you know that you are no longer supposed to sin. Christians have even been taught in the Bible what happens to those who continue to live in sin.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Because we know better, our goal should be to stay as far away from sin and temptation as possible. We have no excuse for falling back into the same sins that God brought us out of.
But the truth is temptation will always come up in our lives. As the devil does all he can to lure us back into a lifestyle of sin. Thankfully, God has shown two ways for us to overcome sin and defeat temptation in our lives. For instance, Paul taught that while God never tempts us. He does always provide a way for us to escape temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
When you are being tempted you do not have to give into sin. You don’t have to look at another with lust. There are a million other places for your gaze to land. You don’t have to follow those on social media who cause you to be angry or envious. Not every website is one that will cause you to lust over the things of this world. Whatever may be tempting you God has placed a means of escape. But you must choose to take it.
Knowing better and remembering to look for the escape hatch is one thing. But sometimes extreme measures must be taken. Jesus taught that you need to remove that which causes you to sin completely from your life.
Matthew 18:8–9 (ESV)
8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
That sounds pretty harsh but Jesus makes His point very clear. It is better to remove something from your life than to allow it to lead you to Hell. No matter how important that thing may be to you. As my Pastor likes to say “ I would rather go to Heaven with a flip phone, than end up in Hell with a smartphone.”
Come on Christian you know you know better. You know that you cannot continue to live a lifestyle of sin and be a child of God. Will you still fall at times to sin? Sadly, it happens to every Christian. But it’s how you respond when you sin that ensures your salvation. Because the true goal is not to make a practice of sinning.
1 John 3:9 (ESV)
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 5:18 (ESV)
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
Instead, make a practice of searching out the escape when faced with temptation. And removing the things that cause you to sin from your life. Then you will not just know better. You will actually be living a life that proves you know better. I write this as John wrote so that you will not sin. But if you do sin remember you have an advocate in Heaven.
1 John 2:1 (ESV)
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Hopefully, this article has helped you to see that you have no excuse for returning to sin. While also opening your eyes to the ways God has given you to overcome sin and temptation. Please share this article if you have found it helpful. Have a great day and God Bless!
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