As we all know, battling sin is hard and difficult work. While we may win some battles here and there, we won’t win the war in this life. We will continue to battle sin until the day we die. A constant battle with sin can become tiresome and discouraging. It can drag us down. I don’t want that for you. So let me provide a word of encouragement to the battle laden warrior of Christ whose soul may have grown weary from years of fighting.

A Word of Encouragement

(1) A constant battle with sin should assure you that you are Christian rather than discourage you.

John in his first letter says starting in verse 9 of chapter 1,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 Jn 1:9–10)

There isn’t a problem when we are willing to admit or battle against sin, rather the problem occurs when we aren’t willing to admit or battle against sin. When that occurs we should be worried, not when we are battling sin in our lives.

A constant battle of sin means we recognize it’s there and we are willing to deal with it, which is one of the marks of a true Christians. So constantly battling sin should assure rather than discourage you.

(2) Despite our sin, we are still used by God.

It is remarkable, but God still uses us despite the sin in our lives. He uses us to:

• Spread the gospel
• Preach His Word
• Counsel the hurting
• Care for the needy
• And much, much more.

Despite the sin in our lives, God still uses us — imperfect vessels — to do His perfect work. When we see God using us, we should be encouraged because it means we are His.

So be encouraged when you find that you are battling sin. It not only reveals that you are a child of God, but it also means that you are someone God can and will use to do His work.

Conclusion

Returning to our question: How do we defeat recurring sin in our lives? We defeat recurring sin, the same way we defeat every other sin. After discovering what it is, we purpose not to hold onto it, and we attack it at the root, doing battle on the battlefield of our heart. Relying on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and using the weapons the Lord has given us. That’s how we battle sin.

So don’t lose heart. Continue to fight the good fight, knowing that those who are in Christ can win the battle because Jesus has won the war.

Questions for Reflection

1. Are you encouraged by your constant battle with sin?
2. Do you see the Lord using you to do His work in your life?

Resources

Post adapted from my sermon: How Do We Deal with Recurring Sin in Our Lives?

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