There are things that we should be honest about. One of them is that when we sin, it is sometimes deliberate and intentional. We all know what is right or wrong, except if you are mentally incapacitated (if you are, then how come you are reading this?) or you have not yet reached the age of accountability (this means you are 5 years old or below). There are sins that we can easily avoid and there are the difficult ones. Sins that we have grown used to or familiar. These are what I am talking about.
The Bible says in Hebrews 10:26-27, “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.”
There are sins that we know is wrong but do it easily without fear or hesitation. Some have seared their conscience and have hardened their hearts. That’s a big problem according to the verse above. There are times that I am guilty of such sinful acts that are intentionally and deliberately done. And in those occasions I struggle with deeply. I know I have hurt my Savior.
What makes it hard is the knowledge of the truth. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with it. You can read it in Paul’s epistle to the Romans in vv. 14-20. The difference with Paul is that he struggled with sin. Sin that he did deliberately and intentionally, like you and me. Paul prevailed through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, not through sheer will and strength, but faith.
If we try to prevent sin by our own will and action, we will most likely fail because our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Our fight is against spiritual beings who try to influence us from doing what is right. They are principalities and rulers in the air. Quite simply, the evil that is around us.
The Apostle Paul was triumphant in his struggle against sin because he put his complete trust in God. We should all do the same ourselves however difficult it may be. Sheer will is not enough, it is through faith in Jesus that we are saved from sin.
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