The Pursuit of Potential: Lie #3

"I am weak and have no self control;

God won't use me because I keep repeating the same sin."

Many, many Christians struggle with this lie. We want to be different in some area of our life, but no matter how hard we try, we fall back and do that same thing we have asked God to forgive us for, time and time again.

I have heard people refer to Galatians 6:7 when it comes to this topic of discussion, which says "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Some people interpret this verse to mean that if we continue to sin, especially the same sin, then God will not love us, because He sees right through us and eventually becomes frustrated at our failed attempts to act right.

But in actuality, I believe this verse simply means we cannot fool God in any way, so just be honest with Him regarding our struggles.

Obviously God can see when we are continually repeating a sin, so if we have asked forgiveness for that sin many times, we may secretly wonder if He will continue to forgive us, over and over. Or even if should we just throw in the towel and assume that we are beyond help?

Praise God, that the blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wash away all of our sin, big and small, and even repeated sins. His Word reassures us that we are never beyond the scope of His forgiveness. If we ask, it will be granted.

The trick is, whether or not we are truly repentful, and if we are sincerely repenting of that sin or just going through the prayer motions of forgiveness.

God can see right through falsehood, and that is what Galatians 6:7 means. Sometimes habitual sin, could possibly mean that the person has not truly repented, and that would be a stumbling block in one's efforts to achieve victory over that temptation in their life.

If you struggle with this lie, take comfort in knowing that we all repeatedly sin, every day. We all have a weakness to something, whether it be anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, impatience, or some type of addictive behavior.

The harder we struggle against a certain stronghold in our life, the more apparent it should become that we need to pray fervently about it, repent sincerely about it, and then believe that we are forgiven and loved. God cannot use us to glorify Him, serve Him, or share His gospel, if we seek His forgiveness, but then struggle to believe that He really has forgiven us.

Psalm 130:3 reminds us that once we seek God's forgiveness, and truly repent, that He has washed us clean. "If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,Lord, who could stand?" It is us who keeps track of our sins, not our heavenly Father.

The Apostle Paul struggled with this lie too, and he is our great example of God's mercy and forgiveness, so that we can be encouraged. 1 Timothy 1:16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they too can believe in Him and have eternal life."

Let us commit to not listen to the lie that we are too sinful to be forgiven, and that our sins cause us to be unusable by God. It is our victory over those exact sins that allow God to really shine through.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, I sincerely, genuinely seek your forgiveness for my sin. I repent of these sins, and admit my wrongdoing. I place my struggle with a particular sin in my life in your hands, and I desperately seek Your strength and intervention in helping to overcome the temptation to continue to do something that I despise, and that I know is not pleasing to You. Help me to have self control over my behaviors, decisions, and actions.

Permeate my soul with the understanding that no matter what I do, or have done, You still love me and see me as a precious vessel to glorify You. Help me use my mistakes and redemption to help others who struggle, and find You. If I fall back into this sin, Lord, please continue to forgive me, be patient with me, and help me to persevere, while trusting that You are more powerful than anything I struggle with here on earth. Amen.