I Love-Hate Sin

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me."
-Romans7:15-20 (ESV)

Paul says a mouthful here, but if I am honest many of my prayers at the end of a day sound very similar. “God, why do I continue to return to a sin that I hate so much?”

Why do I continue to be like a dog returning to its vomit, as the writer of Proverbs 26:11 put it?

My wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, took on flesh and paid my debt on a bloody Roman cross, yet I hold on so deeply to what He died for. This is not a mystery, I know the problem. Paul knew the problem too. It is us, our flesh, our hearts.

I love my sin. I justify it, I protect it, I hide it away from anyone or anything that might take it.

The Holy Spirit uses the wonderful Law of God to reveal our transgressions. Showing God’s glorious perfection and our complete inability to stand in His holy presence. His Law commands me to not make idols in my own image, to not lie, to not covet. Yet, I do what I do not want to do.

So, what should we do?

1.   Run quickly to the Savior. Knowing He is the only one who can save you from yourself. When sin lies to you and says, “You have gone too far,” preach the Gospel to yourself. Repent and believe that God’s grace and mercy is enough.

Romans 7:24-25

1 John 1:9

2.   Kill the sin that is killing you. It is hard to hide in the dark what is brought to the light. When sin reveals its evil head, deal with it. Strangle it, cut its head off and bury it. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. If your computer causes you to stray, throw it away. If you tell a lie about someone, confess. 

Romans12:9b

Matthew 5:30

3.   Let others speak into your life. The Christian life is not meant to be walked alone. The Gospel creates a community for God’s people to dwell and grow. Be honest with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ about your struggles. Allow them to pray with you through your battles with sin and remind you of Jesus, who came to save sinners just like you.

Galatians6:1

James5:19-20