The problem of besetting sins

When a person becomes a Christian sin's dominion is broken. The definitive break with sin is foundational to the work of sanctification. Sin remains within us but it no longer reigns over us. That is the teaching of Romans 6, where Paul focuses on our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. We have died to sin in the death of Christ. But thanks be to God, that you who were once the slaves of sin. . . have become slaves of righteousness (v17-18). This is a wonderfully liberating truth. ‘The nature of sin does not change in regeneration or sanctification, but its status is radically changed’ (John Owen on the Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson, p125).

There is, however, a practical problem which arises here. What happens when certain sins stubbornly remain, and our experience seems to contradict this teaching? It can be a painful and deeply disturbing experience to find that in one area of our lives we fall again and again to temptation. Is sin, after all, still our master, and shall we be found, at last, to be without Christ? Certainly sin and grace cannot both reign in our lives. ‘Grace and sin may be in the same soul at the same time, but they cannot bear rule in the same soul at the same time’, to quote from Sinclair Ferguson’s book again.

Consider some of the evidences that sin's dominion has been broken in our lives:

1. That such failures and defects in our lives trouble us and burden our hearts. The reality and power of the cleansing blood of Christ was never intended to make it easy for us to live with persistent defeats.

2. That our opposition to sin is directed against all sins and makes no truce with any one sin. The true believer knows that no sin, however enticing, can ever be spared. Has not Christ died to deliver us from all and every sin?

3. That our secret sins trouble us as well as those that others see. Grace makes the heart sensitive to God who is unseen and who sees what is hidden from others. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil (Proverbs 8: 13).

4. That the restraint upon sin within us lies not only in the fear of punishment, but in a deep sense of shame in the face of the love of Christ. How can I do this thing and sin against him who loved me and gave himself for me? In the true believer love restrains and constrains and leaves us heartbroken over our sins. Persistent sin, in whatever area of our life, and hardness of heart, are grievous things in the believer's life. Yet the realisation of our state and condition, and our being humbled by it, is itself evidence that sin does not have dominion.

So what is to be done in the face of besetting sins?

1. Never cease to repent of them and seek fresh forgiveness. Let neither shame nor indifference keep you from crying to the Lord for grace and pardon.

2. Consider what wise strategies you may use to gain new victories over sin.

3. Beware of becoming obsessed with your failures. Remember, grace and sin are present in the believer - the consequence is a spiritual warfare. Do not let your areas of defeat blind you to all that Christ has done, and is doing, in your life.