I Can't Stop Sinning   (print view)

by Celesta Thiessen

Once you become a Christian, the old is gone, all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet for many of us, the struggle with sin continues. This is especially true in the case of habitual sin/addictions. For these people, it's just like Paul says. "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:15) Some people begin to feel that it is hopeless. It isn't! God knows your heart. Every time you repent and want to stop, God forgives you. Every time. Every time you do the same thing. Every time you can barely manage to forgive yourself, or maybe you can't forgive yourself. God can. Every time you ask, God wipes you clean - white as snow. When he looks at you he sees a saint (1 John 1:9).

Prayer is a vital key to change. Sometimes God will just take these desires away. I sometimes feel that Paul's ëthorn in the flesh' (2 Corinthians 12:7) was a sinful desire that he begged God to take away. Sometimes, though, we have to work through these problems. The desires may always be there, but as you pray to him, God will give you the strength and the wisdom that you need.

Accountability is also very important when dealing with these types of issues. If alcohol is the problem, joining AA is guaranteed to help. In any case, you should talk to a parent, pastor, spouse or trusted Christian friend about it. Ask them to pray with you about the problem. Ask them to check up with you, every so often, to see how you are doing.

God has promised that "he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." (1 Corinthians 10:13) You do not have to sin! God has said you don't have to sin! You can stop. "Resist the devil and he will flee." (James 4:7) We are not afraid of the evil one. We stand firm, covered by the spiritual armor with the word of God as our sword! (Ephesians 6:10-17) This is not in a physical sense.

Physically, flee temptation. Yes. Flee temptation. God does not say that we can stop at any point pre- or mid-sin. Maybe you can't stop yourself once you have a lit joint in your hand. Maybe once you get into the back seat of a car on a deserted stretch of road, it's too late for you to turn back. Maybe once you're in the company of a certain person, you can't help but do the things they do. People who have never been caught in a cycle of sin do not understand this, but there is a point beyond which it is impossible to stop. It is imperative that you stop before that point!

Flee temptation. Use the good sense God gave you. Avoid situations and people that tempt you. "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away." (Matthew 18:8) What ever is tempting you, it is better to live life without it, that to loose your salvation. If it's your best friend, if it's your television, if it's your job situation...Get rid of it! If you need to throw out some of your things or have a Internet Nanny installed...Do it!

Make concrete plans ëhow to avoid the situations, places, people that tempt me'. Write them down if it helps you. Follow through!

All things are possible with God (Luke 18:27). God calls us to be perfect (Matthew 5:48). "I can do all things through him who gives me strength"! (Philippians 4:13)