Part 1: “I keep falling into the same sin”

Everything you need to know to break the cycle of sin

The Bible makes it clear that we’re all tempted, and temptations come in all shapes and sizes. The real issue is not the urge to sin or feeling unholy. What needs to be assessed is how we deal with the thoughts and the urges that precede temptation. And if we keep falling, we must know how to get back up.

Everything starts before the act is committed. When we let those thoughts linger in our minds and act on temptation instead of fleeing from it, then it becomes a sin. Soon, that sin becomes a habit, then a lifestyle, and eventually we find ourselves in a dangerous place, pushing God away.

That’s one of the most dangerous places a Christian can be because it can be hard to get back up. It takes strength and maturity to allow God to straighten our path. In fact, many turn away from God completely after a fall.

Know this: our falls and lack of self-control do not surprise God. He is all-knowing and understands our weaknesses. He even knows our ending before we live it.

Psalm 139:4 says, “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

How our desires and temptations begin

Our desires, both good and bad, come from our hearts. The Bible affirms that our hearts cannot be trusted, which is why we shouldn’t act on emotions alone. Often, our desires lead us to act without considering the consequences.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Jeremiah 17:9

We each know what our hearts long for, what our desires are, and what brings us pleasure. If we don’t, now is the time for self-assessment, reflecting on moments when we’ve acted against the word of God.

Think back to times when we felt what we thought were “butterflies” in our stomachs or when our minds created sinful or evil scenarios. Recall those moments when we followed our hearts and were deceived because our actions were not supported by scripture—those are the instances to examine. Being self-aware of our own temptations provides a good starting point for handling them in the future.

James 1:14-15 says, “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

These verses list the behaviors and attitudes that are sinful and warn that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:19-21

Identifying triggers that lead to sin or cause relapse

We experience life in moments, minute by minute. Sin doesn’t take root in our lives unless a seed is first planted. While a desire may begin in our hearts, it’s our minds that dwell on how to act on it.

Studies suggest that our minds generate about 60,000 thoughts per day. Among these thoughts, we are likely to encounter what our hearts desire. When those ungodly thoughts arise, it is our responsibility as righteous individuals to submit them to God’s authority.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:5

Let’s emphasize this: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” We can’t rely on our own strength to stop thinking about evil desires because we lack the power to do so. It is through God’s strength that these thoughts are removed from our minds.

Entertaining Sin

We should not entertain sin, as it is dangerous and comes with serious consequences. We must avoid the illusion that we can handle temptation and enjoy the best of both worlds. What may seem like just a thought to us is seen differently by the devil. He is constantly seeking opportunities to devour and destroy, and when he finds a chance, he will act with devastating effects.

1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

If a specific location, TV show, perfume, dream, drink, relationship, conversation, or virtual space triggers or leads us into sin, we must avoid it. Just as Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife—“he ran out of the house,” as scripture describes—these signals should serve as warning signs for us.

2 Timothy 2:22 says “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

If we choose to ignore these warning signs, we are choosing the path that leads to destruction, which is our original destination.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

What happens when you keep falling into the same sin after temptation?

Firstly, we quench the Spirit when we suppress His influence. As we extinguish the Spirit’s work, we become less sensitive to His voice. Eventually, this leads to grieving the Holy Spirit, as He no longer communicates with us through our conscience.

“Do not quench the Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 5:19

If we keep falling into the same sin, we become more aligned with the world, and the evidence of our redemption becomes less visible in our lives.

John 14:17 says, “the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Our relationship with God starts to fade when it is no longer our priority. This often leads many people to give up on God and turn their focus to worldly pursuits.

Read Part two: I keep falling into the same sin

Prayer for obedience and deliverance

You are good and all-knowing. You created me and know me completely, even understanding what I will say before I speak. Right now, I am struggling, clouded by the desires of my heart, and I have sinned. I surrender to Your will and ask You to dismantle every argument and pretension that opposes Your knowledge. Lord, take every thought captive and make it obedient to You. I can’t do this alone; I need Your guidance and Your voice to lead me once again. Help me embrace Your free gift of salvation.

Please rebuke any delusion or lies my heart tells me and remove any depraved state within me. Help me focus on what is true, noble, and pure. Guide me to live in truth and not delight in wickedness. When faced with evil, be my strength as I flee from it. Heal the wounds caused by my iniquities and pour Your grace over me. Free me from my heart that condemns me, knowing that You are greater than my heart and Your grace now abounds in my life. Thank You, my God!