One of the biggest misconceptions I hear circulate through the Christian faith is that sin will always be a part of our lives. That we will never be able to refrain from sinning and that God doesn’t expect us too. While there may be some truth to the statement that God does not expect us to never sin again. That is not the way we are taught to live in scripture.
Actually the Bible tells us in many places that Christians are not to return to their sinful pasts. In fact, I would say that the true message of the Bible is for Christ’s followers to sin no more. But with the merciful reinsurance that if we do sin again we can still be forgiven. Which is the exact message we see in First John.
Galatians 5:13 (ESV)
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
1 John 2:1–2 (ESV)
1 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. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
This concept of never being able to overcome sin in your life is popular for one simple reason. There is a war raging inside every single one of us between the Holy Spirit and our sinful nature. The Holy Spirit is trying to lead us to righteous acts. While our sinful nature wants us to do evil and sin. And the sad truth is that many people chose to follow after the leading of their sinful nature. Instead of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:17 (ESV)
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
That’s right I said that people chose to follow after their sinful nature. Nothing every forces us to sin and rarely does someone do something and then realize that action was sinful. The truth of the matter is that pretty much every time we sin as a Christian we do it purposefully. Knowing what we are about to do is wrong but making an active choice to do it anyway.
The other side of this issue is that many people expect the Holy Spirit to stop them from sinning. But the scripture actually only tells us to follow the Spirit. Meaning it will actively be trying to lead us from the temptation of sin but not force us away from sinful behavior.
Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
When temptation strikes and you find yourself in that place knowing it’s wrong and still wanting to sin. Know that it’s the Holy Spirit trying to lead you by causing you to see the action is wrong. And that your sinful nature is what is causing you to still want to do it even though you know it’s wrong.
You no longer have to give in to your sinful nature as a Christian. You can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and not allow sin to be a regular part of your life. This is so important because the Bible says those who live a sinful lifestyle will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sin really does not have to remain in your life. It is not just something Christians are expected to never overcome. Keeping from giving in to the desires of our sinful nature will never be easy. But it is something we must do. So fight and choose to not allow yourself to sin when temptation strikes. Instead, choose to take the way out that God always offers and is where the Spirit is trying to lead you.
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.
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