For the purpose of this article I'm going to assume you are already a born again believer.
Habitual sins are sins that involve a pattern of the same sin committed over and over again whereby the believer feels enslaved and can't find relief from.
These sins bring great shame and guilt, hurt your witness and will steal your joy and effectiveness as a child of God.
When I was saved, the Holy Spirit came to live inside me and all my sins were washed away. I believe, as scripture teaches that Christ died once for all sin (past, present, and future) and that he who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.
God saved me from the penalty of sin and death, gave me his Spirit to convict me when I sin, as well as teach me and empower me to do the Father's will.
Here is a fact!
A believer will sin. Anyone who believes that a christian does not sin is deceived and does not have a clear understanding of scripture. The Apostle Paul knew what it was to sin and to sin regularly. In Romans 7 vs. 15 Paul said, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."
He goes on to say who will rescue me from this body of death, thanks be to Christ Jesus our Lord!
The truth is we all have chinks in our spiritual armor. There are certain sinful desires that may affect you more than me and vice versa.
In Galatians 5 vs. 17 it says "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not able to do what you want."
The enemy (Satan) loves to attack us in our mind and when we are at our weakest. Times when I'm the weakest are usually when I'm tired, stressed, depressed, disappointed, and anxious. I tend to sin the most during these times.
For the believer, sin brings conviction. The Holy Spirit will not allow you to sin and get away with it. I do believe the most miserable people on the planet are believers living in sin. Scripture describes God as a loving Father who disciplines those he loves.
My father used to always tell me (and it is so true) that there are things that God will not let you get away with whereas it may seem your friends are getting away with. It is important for you to remember that you are God's child and as any good father will do, will correct you when involved in sin.
You see, we must remember that we are at war. Scripture says, "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6 vs. 12).
If I have periods of sin or times when I fail God and do not live for him does this mean I'm lost? Does this mean he has abandoned me or given up on me? Does this mean he does not love me?
The answer is an emphatic NO!!
In John 6 vs. 39 Jesus said "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day."
Jesus will never leave you or forsake you!! My friend, if you are convicted by your struggle with sin and desire God's forgiveness, mercy and will then praise God!! This is evidence that you are saved because one of the Holy Spirits primary jobs is to convict you of your sin so that you will be led to repentance.
As believer's we need daily cleansing (repentance). As we confess our sins daily the Holy Spirit will empower us to live for him and accomplish his will each day.
Do not listen to the lies of the enemy and do not get discouraged. Satan is a liar and if he can rob you of your joy and witness he will. He is like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. Remember 1st John 1 vs. 9 "For if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Christ bought us with his precious blood on the cross. He rescued us! Do you really think Jesus would have paid such a high price on the cross and then lose you? He loves us with an everlasting love. This is a love beyond our human comprehension. It is impossible for us to humanly grasp his great love for us. So in this knowledge do not try and rationalize his love and do not try to explain it, just accept it by faith.
He will never leave us and never forsake us.
In Galatians 5 vs. 1 it says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Later on in Galatians 5 vs. 16 it says we are to walk by the Spirit, and in doing so you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
This is truth: 'The Spirit is willing but the Flesh is weak,' abiding in Christ daily is the only way we can live a life free from habitual patterns of sin. We must depend on the Holy Spirit empowering us each day if we are going to live as God desires.
How do we abide in Christ daily? Set aside a time each day for prayer and meditating on scripture. If you do not know where to begin reading, start with the Gospel of John or a Psalm.
In closing, remember this verse: 1 Corinthians 10 vs. 13, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."
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