Everything you need to know to stop falling again into the same sin
We may feel guilty about the sin in our lives, so we run away from God instead of repenting. Let’s remember when Adam and Eve hid because they noticed they were naked, God knew where they were, and he knows where we are also.
If we keep falling into the same sin, we may even feel pain, because of our own condemnation and guilt. God does not make us feel guilty, but it’s a consequence of sin. When we’re filled with lies, it’s hard to come to repentance.
The Bible says we act like fools when we continue to do the same sin after knowing we’ve sinned.
Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”
But take heart because the Bible also says:
“where sin increased, grace increased all the more,”
Romans 5:20
What happens if I don’t stop? Should I turn completely away from God?
God’s word is not a set of rules to keep us from doing fun things, but it’s to keep us from having headaches and consequences that can be avoided.
If we continue to sin, the Bible says God does not force us to stop. We choose our own path, and the consequences of our sin will be huge, both in the spiritual and physical world.
In the physical world, the consequences may be STDs, a broken family, a sickness, etc. We don’t have to go too far to see the examples of individuals in our society who are currently suffering the consequences of sin. We are not exempt from those outcomes.
“and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
In the spiritual world, God’s wrath will be on us, instead of his grace.
Romans 1:18 says “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
If we choose to continue practicing sin, the enemy is now the governor of our mind. We will no longer feel ashamed of our sin, and we will even see it as ‘right.’
Romans 1:28 says “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”
But don’t give up on God.
Is God disappointed in me?
“‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’ For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24-25)
God just wants us to come to repentance. He will redeem us.
“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
1 John 3:20
God is not waiting to point a finger. People may point out our flaws, but God does not think like men.
2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
How do I stop falling into the same sin?
When we lay our pride before God, and invite God into our weakness, then he becomes part of fighting our battle. Our dependency is in him; not in us anymore. That’s when we’re able to resist the darts of the enemy.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
The bible gives us praticle examples we can apply to our lives to avoid falling into sin, after we’ve submitted to God.
Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
If we feel as if we can’t resist the devil, the Bible reminds us that Jesus Christ did the ultimate sacrifice. He had an agonizing death. Our sacrifice to withstand sin for a moment is not stronger than Jesus’s sacrifice.
Hebrews 12:4 says, “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
What if I stopped sinning, but I can’t feel God?
Even after we asked God to forgive us and have chosen to repent, we may feel as if God’s presence is far away. Know that that’s a lie. We are free from condemnation when we confess our sins to God, and he is near us.
1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Those thoughts of condemnation can only be removed by knowing the truth. Being grounded in truth will tear down lies from the enemy.
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 6:14
Even if we don’t “feel” God with us, we must keep seeking him through scripture and prayer. As we fill ourselves with God’s word, we will begin to mature in faith and know that emotions can’t drive our decisions in life, including our relationship with God. God may take us through a season where we learn to live by truth alone so that we become well-equipped to resist the devil and endure trials until the finish line.
Prayer for obedience and deliverance
Lord,
You are good and all-knowing. You know me entirely because you created me, and you even know what I will say before I say it. Right now, I’m struggling, I can’t think clearly because I’m fogged by the desires of my heart. I’ve sinned, with _. I surrender to your will and ask you to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against your knowledge. Lord, take captive every thought to make it obedient to you. I can’t do this alone. I need you, and I need your voice to guide me once again. Help me to receive your free gift of salvation.
I ask you, Lord, to rebuke any form of delusion in my life, and the lies my heart tells me. I ask you to remove any state of depraved mind inside of me. Help me think of what’s true, noble, and pure. Help me live in truth and not delight in wickedness. When I’m faced with evil, be my strength as I flee from it. Heal the wounds inside of me caused by my own iniquities, and I ask you to pour your grace over me. Free me from my own heart that condemns me. I know you are greater than my heart and your grace now abounds in my life. Thank you, my God!