People are struggling in isolation and loneliness with hidden sin they can’t stop doing. Everything they try doesn’t work, and they ask themselves, “Why can’t I stop?” The spiral even further by convincing themselves they are the only ones struggling. Today’s devotion shows us that we all struggle with sin, and we are not doing the things we should be doing. There is hope if we look in the right place.
Romans 7:15
“For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.”
Struggle is Real
The struggle with sin is real. People genuinely want to change but can muster enough will power or discipline to overcome those bad habits and sins. They get determined and stop for a while, and then when things get stressful, they fall back into their old patterns. Soon after, guilt and shame follow. The Apostle Paul can relate to everyone who feels this way. He was confused because he did the things he didn’t want to do and didn’t do the things he knew he should be doing. It is a struggle all of us go through.
Understand the Battle
Why is it so difficult to break old habits? Why can’t we become the new person we want to be? There isn’t one answer, but there are some reasons we need to understand. First, sin and temptation are real. They appeal to us every day and are often subtle in their approach. Don’t discount these two powerful forces. We have to battle them with heavenly weapons. Second, there is a battle of the flesh and the spirit going on inside of us daily. The flesh wants to fulfill every desire without consideration of the consequences. The Spirit seeks to glorify God and grow in our faith. Which one are you feeding?
Why Can’t I Stop?
Why can’t I stop sinning? Because we are sinful beings. We were born into sin and are only plucked out of a life of sin and eventual death by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Him, the penalty of death is removed forever. After that, the Holy Spirit goes to work on us to transform us from the inside out. Let Him have His way in your heart. As you do, you will see the change in you over time. Those temptations you struggled with a couple of years back have become an afterthought.