English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
The correct way to deal with sin is to confess it to God and forsake it. Each of these two fundamental steps deserves a closer examination:
First, confession is the appropriate approach to handling sin. Naturally, to confess our sin, we must acknowledge that what we have done (or failed to do) is sinful. Everyone has sinned, and even believers in Christ sin. The apostle John, addressing believers, stated, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” «If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. », (1 John 1:8).
To “confess” means to “agree with.” To effectively address sin in our lives, we must align ourselves with God regarding our actions; if the Bible identifies something we have been doing as “sin,” then we should also acknowledge it as “sin.” In our confession, we should be courageous enough to be completely honest before the Lord. We should begin by confessing all known sin and then request the Lord to reveal any other sin that may require confession. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Biblically, our confession is directed towards God, not towards a priest. Jesus is our Mediator «For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; », (1 Timothy 2:5).
When we handle sin appropriately through confession, we receive this assurance: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” «If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. », (1 John 1:9). This promise was encouraging to the people John was writing to in the first century AD and is still encouraging to us today. It is at the core of the gospel. Jesus sits enthroned at the right hand of God the Father, a position of power and influence. He intercedes for those who belong to Him, made so by grace through faith. When someone who is in Christ sins, it’s as if Jesus says to His Father, “I have paid for that sin.” The Father forgives us based on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He is faithful to do so, in line with His promise, and He is just to do so because Jesus has already paid the price for the sin.
Second, forsaking sin is the proper way to deal with it. When Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, He told her, “Go, and sin no more” «She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. », (John 8:11). Go—that is the word of forgiveness and release. Sin no more—that is God’s command to live a holy life.
We cannot claim to be handling sin properly if we refuse to give it up. If we find a venomous snake inside the house, we don’t toy with it; we remove it from the premises. If we discover cancer in our body, we don’t go about business as usual; we begin an aggressive treatment program to pursue a clean bill of health. And if we become aware of sin in our lives, we do all we can to change our behavior to please the Lord.
To handle sin properly, we should not only forsake the sin but also seek to make restitution for our wrongs, when possible. Zacchaeus is a good example of this «And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. », (Luke 19:8). We sho
We should also take steps to avoid falling into the same trap again. This involves establishing new habits, visiting different places, and avoiding certain individuals: “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin” «A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.», (Proverbs 18:24). We should heed God’s command: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” «Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. », (Ephesians 6:11).
To properly handle sin, we must follow the directives in God’s Word. We must “watch and pray so that [we] will not fall into temptation” «Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. », (Mark 14:38). And we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. When He is grieved, it is time to confess our sin and forsake it see Ephesians 4:30.
When we properly handle sin in our lives, our lives will change, and we will “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” «And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. », (Luke 3:9). We will live in the confidence that our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven in Christ « There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », (Romans 8:1). We will praise the Lord of our salvation as the One who can keep us from stumbling.
ing (Jude 1:24-25). We will trust Him to complete the work that He started «being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: », (Philippians 1:6).
When we handle sin properly in our lives, we will demonstrate the truth of Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (ESV, emphasis added).
