The Biblical Process for Dealing with Recognized Sin
Key Takeaways
- As believers, we possess forgiveness for all sins from the moment we trust in Jesus, which is important to understand.
- Intentional sin contradicts our identity as forgiven Christians, but we will still face temptation.
- When recognizing sin in our lives, we should follow a biblical process to deal with it effectively.
- This process includes viewing ourselves rightly, confessing the truth about our sin, and ensuring that confession involves genuine repentance.
- Depend on Christ for transformation and strive for a life that pleases God, avoiding deliberate sin to maintain a close relationship with Him.
Once anyone has trusted in Jesus, Ephesians 1:7 says that forgiveness is something we possess as believers. We receive God’s forgiveness for all our sins (past, present, and future) from the moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ. That is very important for you to know. Forgiveness is complete and continual.
Read more about God’s forgiveness in this article: Forgiven…No Longer Burdened by Guilt.
Although our God does not hold our sin against us any longer, and His grace is continually forgiving us of sin, that does not give us permission to intentionally sin. Intentional sin does not fit with who you are as a forgiven Christian with a new life to enjoy.
But as long as we live in these earthly bodies, we will be tempted to sin. Sin will happen—whether intentionally or unintentionally. So as an already forgiven Christian, you might ask, “How do I deal with sin when I recognize it in my life?”
Great question. Whenever the Spirit convicts you of thinking or behavior that is definitely not pleasing to the Lord, follow this biblical process to deal with it.
Step One: View yourself rightly.
Your identity is not “_______” (coveter, grumbler, gossiper, whatever it is).
You are in Christ, a child of God, who sometimes “_____” (covets, grumbles and complains, gossips).
Step Two: Recognize (confess) the truth regarding your sin.
To confess biblically means to agree with God about what you and He both know to be true. Confession is not a formula, a process, or dependent on a mediator. Regarding sin in my life, it is not saying, “I’m sorry.” It is saying, “I agree with you, God. I blew it!” See your sin as awful!
Use grumbling as an example: You read Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” The Spirit convicts you that you grumble and complain a lot. You agree with God that your grumbling is not pleasing to Him—in fact, He hates it. Grumbling doesn’t fit someone who is in Christ, representing Christ to the world. That is confession.
Step Three: Confession is incomplete without repentance.
Repentance means to change your mind about that sin, to mourn its ugliness, resulting in changing your actions. Paul calls that godly sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, and he says godly sorrow produces repentance. It is saying, “I recognize what I am doing is wrong. This fills me with sorrow because it displeases You, God. Please help me to live differently.” He will certainly do that! God uses sorrow over sin to get His desired results. That is how our lives get transformed.
For grumbling: You want to live in order to please God, and God wants you to stop grumbling and complaining. It comes from a heart that feels entitled and not grateful. So, you pray, “Lord Jesus, please have your Spirit nudge me when I am grumbling and complaining. Help me to say no to the temptation and to give up that habit of being ungrateful. By faith, Lord, I want you to do that in my life.” That is repentance.
Step Four: Repentance leads to dependence.
Depend on the living Christ inside you for that change to take place. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not interested in our compliance (outward conformity) as much as He desires our obediencefrom the heart. And trust in Him to help you overcome the consequences of any sinful choices you have made in a way that brings glory to Him.
For grumbling: Memorize Philippians 2:14 and James 5:9 and any other scriptures that deal with not grumbling and being grateful instead. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s nudging when you are tempted to do that. Desire a life that pleases God. It’s okay to say, “Lord Jesus, I can’t do this on my own. I trust you to do this in me and through me.” Then, watch what He does! That is dependence.
Download this bookmark that contains the Biblical process for dealing with recognized sin.
Don’t let deliberate sin continue to contaminate you and keep you from enjoying a close, dependent relationship on your loving, holy God.
Learn more about forgiveness and living victoriously in God’s grace from the Graceful Living Bible Study and the Pathways to a Joyful Walk Bible Study.
