“Why Can't I Stop Sinning?”

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Categories: Christian Living, Encouragement, Joshuah Ellis, Theology

When my oldest, who is now 8, was a bit younger, he had this awful pair of flip-flops that he loved to wear. The problem with them was that the strappy things on top were a bit too loose. So, when he would walk, the soles would get caught on the ground, he would trip, and then he would hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. We tried to get him to wear other shoes. We explained to him that he wouldn’t trip so often if he would only pick up his feet a bit more, but nothing helped. Finally one day he had enough. He tripped, yet again, but this time, my boy (who is usually very mild tempered) picked himself up, and in a moment of total exasperation screamed, “WHY DO I KEEP DOING THIS?”

The spiritual parallel isn’t hard to see, is it? Don’t we, all too often, find ourselves stumbling in sin? Aren’t we, all too often, frustrated with ourselves for our mistakes? Haven’t we, all too often, been given the instruction and guidance necessary to keep us from our mistakes? Think about it. How many times have you caught yourself asking forgiveness from God for the same sin over and over, sometimes even in the same day? What is it that makes overcoming sin so hard? Why do we keep doing this? Why can’t we stop sinning? The following are a few reasons that might help:

1. I can’t stop sinning because I try to do it without God. Have you ever felt like your efforts to avoid sin are something you do for God instead of with God? I sure have. I have felt that avoiding sin is my job and mine alone. The problem with this is that God wants to help us get out of sin, not watch us get out of sin. Frankly, we're nuts if we think we can stop sinning on our own and then stand before God in our perfection. God is essential for our victory over sin (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). So what’s the take-away? Pray, study, and serve God through your struggles, not after you have overcome them.

2.  I can’t stop sinning because I’m trying to stop sinning. I know how this sounds, but stay with me here. The idea that sin is to be avoided is absolutely biblical (1 Thessalonians 5:22). However, what if our attitude about this is counterproductive? What if we, instead of allowing our sin and struggles to consume us every day, decide to place our focus on Jesus Christ? The Hebrew writer talks about laying aside our sin and looking unto Jesus, right (Hebrews 12:1-2)? When we choose to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and think on the things God tells us to (Philippians 4:8), then there will be no room in our hearts and minds for any sin. It is hard for sin to find its way into someone who is sufficiently filled with Jesus Christ.

3.  I can’t stop sinning because is am too involved with the world. Again, I know how it sounds. After all, how can we not be involved in the world? We live here, right? But just because we live here, it doesn’t mean we make this our home. We are not designed to sin. We are designed to be reconciled to God! He has made every provision to ensure this (John 3:15, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13). However, in the same way that my son did not want to throw out those disastrous flip-flops, sometimes we don’t want to loosen our grip on this world. Following God is easy (Matthew 11:30). We make it hard because we want to live both for God and for ourselves, which is impossible (Matthew 6:24). Let go of the world and run, full speed, to your Heavenly Father. You might be amazed at what happens in your life.

You will be happy to know that my boy eventually got rid of the offending footwear and has been walking erect ever since. It was a simple solution to a harmful problem. I hope that as you read this, you are being reminded that God has given us the solution to our problem in the wisdom of His Word (2 Timothy 3:16) through the blood of His son (Hebrews 9:28).

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