"Falling Back Into Sin"

Recently, the following e-mail was received: "Good morning. I really don't know how to say this, but I need a good prayer. I keep falling back into sin. I really don't like that I continue to do this! Let me know how to change this. Thank you, and have a blessed day."

Surely, this individual is not the only one struggling with a problem like this. It would be nice to give a quick answer that would solve the problem, but such is impossible due to the nature of the situation. The person requesting help does have a name, but it will be kept anonymous by just referring to him as Angus (no known relation to his actual name; it means "choice"). Also, it should be pointed out that no specific sin was mentioned; it could be a number of things, but the answer should fit most any type of sin.

The main problem is that of "falling back into sin." Angus sounds as though he would sincerely like to quit whatever sin this is, but he cannot seem to break free from it. Beginning at this point, what can we discover concerning the matter?

First, we are dealing with an actual sin. This is not a matter of simply preferring to behave better or less badly; it is actually wrong. It is always appropriate, therefore, to think about what sin is. Sin separated Adam and Eve from the fellowship of God and caused them to incur other penalties as well. Probably, Eve never imagined that by allowing sin to enter the world, one of her children would murder his brother. To grant any kind of approval for sin in our lives is to fling open wide the door to any and every evil. If Angus, as an individual, gives in to any sin, then he is tacitly offering approval to anyone committing the sin of his choice.

Is that something he really wants to do? He might counter, "Yes, but me stopping my sin will not cause anyone else to quit." That may not be true, depending on the circumstances, but even if it were, shouldn't he still do what is right? Besides, if he is continually guilty of committing sin—even if it is hidden from most other people—how will he not feel hypocritical to note the Bible's condemnation of anyone else's sin? Will he not be intimidated by his own conscience from speaking out against other forms of wickedness? The only way to stop being in this dilemma is to give up the sin he is engaged in.

Second, how can Angus not feel guilt every time he takes the Lord's Supper? Jesus suffered intensely and ultimately died for all of his sins. How is he not guilty of being on the side of those who crucified Him when he chooses to continue in sin? And how is he not trying to be friends with the devil? If there is anything Satan can rejoice in, it relates to Christians engaging in sin. He has always desired that human beings not trust in God fully; his one pleasure involves seeing Christians hold back from God in at least one area of life.

Angus may tend to think of sin as a matter of small consequence, but it is so bad that it took the death of the innocent Jesus to pay the debt that we all owed. We would never store up enough goodness of our own to pay the price—only someone completely sinless (1 Peter 2:2) could ever set us free from the penalty we incurred. When tempted to sin, we need to remember what sin does to us, as well as what it did to Jesus. Hopefully, it will serve as a deterrent.

The Cause

What are the reasons any person keeps "falling back into sin"? Sometimes, it may involve associating with certain people. If a "friend" keeps dragging a Christian back into sin, it is time to change friends. "Oh, but you don't understand; Bob has been my best friend since high school. I couldn't end that relationship." Okay, then, how badly does Angus really want to give up the recurring sin? Something keeps drawing him back. Whether male or female, that relationship must change. Angus needs a friend who will not constantly be tugging at him to repeat his past mistakes.

It may be that the persuasive factor toward sin is a place rather than a person. The solution is to quit going there. If a certain place contributes to the process of falling back into sin, then Angus needs to frequent alternative sites. Of course, if the place is where one lives, the problem will need to be solved another way.

Ultimately, it boils down to the spiritual resolve a person possesses. Even if certain people or places contribute to the recurring sin, it still remains for the individual's own resolve to resist the temptation. One Scripture that will make us feel better—or worse—about ourselves is 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

First, Angus should not feel that he is the only one to have ever had this problem. It is common to all mankind. Second, since God will not allow more of a temptation than a person can bear, he can successfully overcome it. Third, if he continues to fall back into sin, guess whose fault it is?

Unfortunately, nothing magical will change the problem. To overcome sin, it takes tough mental discipline. The mind cannot be allowed to go down the all-too-familiar path. The inward man must say, "Stop! That's not the way we are traveling today." The more one exercises self-control, the easier it gets. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).