When we get saved we are changed from sinners to saints. We are severed from indwelling sin and joined to Christ. The very seed of God is imparted to us and we are righteous. While we are no longer sinners after salvation, we are saints who can commit sins. The sins we commit grieve the Holy Spirit and ushers in guilt. A true, born-again believer is heartbroken over sin and has a desire to abstain from it. However, there are multiple occasions where we fall again and again into sin. In the next few posts we will look at some truths that will help us overcome sin. Today we observe the first one.
Acknowledge the Problem.
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
A problem recognized is a problem half solved.
I remember hearing about a couple going through a session of marriage counseling. The wife shared her frustrations about her husband’s shortcomings. After almost an hour of her speaking, the Pastor decided it was time to give the husband a turn. The Pastor asked the husband what he thought about all that was said. The husband shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t think we have a problem.” The wife went into a frenzy and exclaimed, “that’s the problem, you don’t see that we have a problem."
How often do we submit ourselves to habitual sin, because we don’t recognize the frequency in which we do it? Do we even recognize the seriousness of our sin? Do we ever use the excuses, “I don’t do it that often, it’s not that bad, it’s not that big of a(n) problem/addiction”?
Too many times we look around like a bewildered five year old and ask, “What did I do?”
If we don’t acknowledge our sin, we will never take victory over it.
To what sin are you bowing? Is there a sin problem in your life that you have been ignoring?
Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.
Do we have the desire to overcome sin? Let’s get honest with God. Let’s agree with Him about our sin and acknowledge it. Lord willing, we will expand on agreeing with God about our sin and deal with the second point in the next post.
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