EXPOSE | We can run but we cannot hide
King David speaking: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” – Psalm 51:3
EXPLORE | Severing the relationship with sin
David knew his sin–because it was right there in front of him; there was no getting around it, and before God, he was compelled to confess it. Pretty uncharacteristic for a king. Especially a king. And pretty uncommon even for us common folk.
We’ve talked in the past about living an examined life. Doing so can be a little unnerving. When we do that, it is (very) likely that we’ll find something that we don’t want to see, and, as a result, end up shoving whatever we found right back where we found it. However, to consider “not going there” only means that we delay the inevitable.
“Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben… But if you will not do so [keep your word about leading Israel to their inheritance], behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.“
Numbers 32:6,23
David is right. When we sin, we do so before the Lord, if not the world, and He is right to not let it go without it being fully and wholly addressed. There should be no doubt that sin has a devastating impact. It is a force that separates us from God and will devour us.
When we cover it up, it rots and festers and we risk, not just exposure, but an explosion. Sin is the proverbial “ticking timebomb” that when it detonates, profoundly alters us and everyone around us.
But as David found out, confession brings healing, restoration, and strength.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”
Psalm 51:12-13
John Piper describes that our “trembling at sin is intrinsically tied to marveling at grace.” Our fear of the Lord is both a genuine fear and a reverent awe for His holiness. This fear leads us to treat sin with the utmost seriousness where we have the privilege of marveling at the unfathomable grace that Christ offers to cover our sins.
EXECUTE | Embrace the battle, be victorious, and live a life pleasing to God
The battle is real. Who can’t relate to Paul in this verse from Romans?
“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
Romans 7:19
It may feel like we can’t win. Like we can’t break the cycle. But as Pastor Colin Smith reminds us, we are free even if we don’t feel like it:
“When you are ‘in Christ,’ you stand in a completely new relationship to the power of sin. Sin used to be your master. Sin used to reign over you. But now you have ‘died’ to the reign of sin (Romans 6:2).”
Pastor Colin Smith
As children of God, we are no longer slaves to sin. The very seed of God resides within us, guiding us away from the path of sin. To treat sin effectively, we must continually abide in Him, nurturing our relationship with Him, which empowers us to resist the pull of sin.
The Apostle John highlights the transformative power of our relationship with God: “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.” – 1 John 3:9 (ESV)
Eliminating sin requires unwavering vigilance and unwavering dependence on Christ’s power. While the battle is intense, the reward of living free from sin’s grip makes the struggle more than worthwhile. Here are the practical steps that make up our arsenal in our battle against sin:
- Dare to take a look. You don’t want any bombs going off. So be on the lookout for what you need to turn away from. As David states in Psalm 139: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me…” (vv. 23-24a)
- Confess what you find. Take what you find and humbly confess your sin to God, recognizing His faithfulness and justice in forgiving us and cleansing us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
- Repentance. As 1 John 3:9 asserts, those born of God should not continue in sin, for God’s seed remains within us, impelling us to forsake sin. Repentance involves a genuine change of heart and mind that leads to transformed behavior. Turning away from sin and turning toward God is our process for continuous growth–and is our best defense.
- Dependence. This may be why you sinned in the first place. We are not equipped to go on ‘not sinning’ by ourselves. We must rely on God’s strength to overcome sin. His strength is made powerfully and wonderfully perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Love God. Hate Sin. That is the deadly, one-two punch. Being restored and set free brings great joy, but should also reignite the importance of never becoming complacent or casual toward sin. We need to develop both a love of God AND a hatred of sin. This is what Paul refers to as ‘working out our salvation’ (Philippians 2:12), which means our lives are characterized by the fruit of the Spirit—”love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
In confronting sin, our first step is adopting the right perspective. It’s essential to treat sin with the gravity and seriousness it deserves, cultivating a deep sense of both genuine repentance and hatred for sin. These attitudes reflect our profound understanding of sin’s corrosive effects on our lives.
In our relentless battle against sin, we discover the transformative strength to win the battle over sin through the boundless grace of God, which empowers us to uproot sin from our hearts and embrace the abundant life offered in Christ.
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Further reading:
Trembling at sin, marveling at grace
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning
Fear and trembling
Hate my own sin
What does it mean to work out your salvation
You are not a slave to sin even if you feel like one
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