Everybody sins. But when Christians do it, reactions vary. The culture says we’re hypocrites—and often uses our sin to justify their own. Other Christians may view our sins as proof we aren’t even saved.
But the people who offer the most brutal judgment against our sins?
Very often, it’s ourselves.
That’s because Christians struggling with sin tend to believe these four lies.
We may not admit this out loud, because it sounds extreme. But we often think it. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48)?
I love Chuck Swindoll’s definition of the term, justification:
Justification is the sovereign act of God whereby He declares righteous the believing sinner while he or she is still in a sinning state.
When we believe in Jesus, God doesn’t make us righteous. He declares us righteous. We’re still sinners who aren’t free from sin’s temptations. Our being made righteous won’t occur until our death or the Rapture—whichever comes first. (I’m pulling for the Rapture.)
This lie takes the false assumption of LIE #1 a step further. Because you don’t live a perfect life like you should, that means you were never saved to begin with.
You cannot out-sin the grace of God. God the Father never abandons His children. Wayne Stiles
The truth is, your struggle against sin is a huge clue that the Spirit of God is working in your life. Because the New Testament constantly gives instruction to Christians struggling with sin, we understand that it is a normal experience.
While it’s true you’ll never be free from temptation or from the pull in your heart towards sin, you can experience victory. (Unlike a circus elephant who doesn’t know any better.)
Sometimes Christians struggling with sin blow it big-time. And because we knew better—and yet did it anyway—we fall for the lie that tells us we crossed a point of no return with God.
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1
Remember, you cannot out-sin the grace of God. God never abandons His children.
In another post, I’ve shared four strategies to help combat these four lies.
If you feel you are struggling with sin, there is no better time to get reconnected to the Bible. If you are looking to experience the Bible in a new way, join us for a year-long interactive study with maps, photographs, and virtual tour videos that helps bring context and meaning to Scripture.
Tell me what you think: What other lies do Christians struggling with sin believe? To leave a comment, just click here.