The Daily Word of Righteousness

So You've Sinned!

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (I John 2:1)

The true Christian life is one of victory over sin. As we walk in the Spirit of God, we gain the wisdom and strength to put to death the deeds of our body.

But gaining victory over the world, our flesh, and our self-will is no easy task. We have enemies in the natural as well as in the spiritual who insist day and night that we must not live in righteousness, holiness, and obedience before the Lord.

It seems that in our day the pressure to sin is greater than ever before.

There is no sacrifice in the Old Testament or the New for willful sin, that is, premeditated, arrogant, presumptuous sin.

One day a young lady said to me, "Tonight I am going out on a date, and I am going to sit in the back seat of a car with a boy and do things I shouldn't. But tomorrow I am going to ask the Lord Jesus to forgive me."

I was not in a position at that time to rebuke her. But we all need to understand there is no sacrifice for premeditated sin, only for sin that we commit when we are deceived, when it sneaks up on us and we are deceived—as in the case of King David.

If David had sinned willfully, arrogantly, presumptuously, then when Nathan came to him David would have put him to death.

Let's say you have been living for the Lord and then were deceived into fornication, stealing, violence, covetousness, or some other sin. You believed you were accepted of the Lord. Then you became aware that you may be in deception in this matter.

Ask the Lord to show you clearly if you are in deception.

Confess your actions with your mouth. It often helps to have another mature Christian with you of the same gender as yourself, hearing your confession and praying with you. Your husband or wife is acceptable and often a big help. Name the sin clearly before the Lord. Do not do this in front of the whole church except in rare instances, and then only under the advice and supervision of the elders.

Resolve that you will never practice this behavior again. Flee from the flames of Hell. Cease kissing the demons on the mouth.

Now God will, according to His unchanging Word, forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness in this area of behavior.

Draw near to God for restored fellowship. Do not let Satan beat you with accusations. God will forgive you.

Make restitution only as the Lord leads. Take other physical actions if necessary such as moving, changing jobs, or whatever else is needed to avoid temptation.

In the future resist Satan, calling on the Lord for strength. Satan will flee from you in disarray.

Why should you spend eternity in the Lake of Fire? Call on the Lord now to baptize you with fire so that the chaff will be burned away. Then you will be fireproof.

It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.