Suffering from sin is an inescapable fact. Everyone suffers from sin one way or another and it’s very easy to fall into a cycle of temptation and embrace that defeatist mindset. Feelings of shame can also sprout from over indulgence in these areas and we start to believe the lie that God will no longer love or forgive a sinner like me who has broken his covenant over and over again. We start to move further away from the ideal Christians God wants us to pursue.
Struggling with this is very human but let us remember God’s promises for us. Jesus too was tempted in the desert both physically, mentally and spiritually. But he overcame those with the Word of God and his relationship with the father. Jesus is the one who took our sins and died on our cross for our redemption and salvation. He has put sin to death and made those that believe reborn again. We can place all our sin and all our shame unto him. We no longer have to feel ashamed for what we’ve done wrong because we are truly forgiven in God’s eyes.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Bible talks about putting on the armour of God to wage war against sin and temptation. By placing our temptations with God and reminding ourselves, through prayer, fellowship and obedience we can overcome them. Our God’s love is a spring of love that is never empty. By being steadfast in our walk, by choosing to rely not on oneself but on God will we start the walk to sanctification.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
