I can't stop sinning. Please help!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Genesis 3 relates the fall of man and sin entering the world. Because of that, sin is a reality of life on this side of eternity. Even if we have been saved for years, we will sin. This can be disconcerting, but it can also increase our dependence on God. We can stay vigilant against sin and rely on God’s power in us to live for Him. As believers, Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sins is complete; we must live remembering that God has forgiven us of all sin—past, present, and future. This frees us from the guilt and shame of sin and empowers us to live for Christ. When we are secure in our relationship with Christ, our desire to sin actually decreases (Romans 7:5-8). As believers, we should be conscious of the sin in our lives and seek to continually be “transformed” by the renewal of our minds so we can live for Him (Romans 12:2). Instead of focusing on the sinful desires that so often entangle us (James 1:14), we should focus on our new identity and purpose in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) and think about what honors and glorifies God (Philippians 4:8). Ultimately, if our battle against sin discourages us, we should remind ourselves that "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). Our price is paid, our condemnation no longer exists, and we are set free from bondage to sin for all of eternity—starting in this lifetime!

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When we are battling against sin, we must not rely on ourselves, but rather “trust in the Lord with all [our] heart, [instead of] lean[ing] on [our] own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). We should also acknowledge God in all our ways, knowing that He will “make straight” our paths (Proverbs 3:6).
• Although we may feel abandoned in our sin struggle, God will not forsake His children. We should put our full trust in Him (Psalm 9:10).
• We should “commit” our ways to God. When we do so and trust in who God is, we can rest assured that He will act (Psalm 37:5).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the battle against sin, fear is our biggest enemy. Sin produces fear when we do not fully trust that Jesus Christ's righteousness is enough to save us. When Jesus was on the cross, he called out "it is finished" right before he died (John 19:30). We need not fear because Jesus’ sacrifice is complete, and our atonement price for our sin has been eternally paid by Him.
• We had to know what sin was so we would know our need for Christ. As children of God, we learn that we are safe, no longer in danger of eternal punishment. The law has lost its power over us (Romans 2:12; 3:20).
• We are set free from the worry that sin produces: "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14). When we sin, we can refocus our mind on Christ and praise Him, thank Him, and encourage others as we pass along this amazing message of freedom from bondage to sin.
• When we finally realize that we are safe in Christ, our desire to sin decreases (Romans 7:5-8).
• The law has no power over the one who is in Christ: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).
• Paul tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). Our attention should be on God, not the corrupting things of this world .
• As Christians, we are God’s workmanship, created for good works; no matter how much we fail, our identity is permanent and our purpose is unchanging (Ephesians 2:10).
• The writer of Hebrews reminds us that "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). Our justification before God and our lifelong sanctification is accomplished through Christ. While sin and good works have no bearing on our salvation, sin does have a harmful effect on us and others, which is why God commands us to strive against it.
• We want to be aware of our sins but avoid obsessively thinking about them, which can lead to temptation, guilt, and shame . James says that "each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:14). Being aware of this, we can surrender our desires to God and let Him reshape them.
• Instead of focusing on what we shouldn’t do, we should reflect on godly things, as mentioned in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

If you struggle with sin and fail , you are not alone. Many who struggle with habitual sins do so believing two things: one, that they are the only Christian struggling and two, that the continual failures mean they are not saved. These are lies that Satan uses to discourage us. The truth is that every Christian fights against sin, and most of us have at least one sin that presents a lifelong struggle, a flaw that causes us to learn the same tired lessons over and over again. It may sound counterintuitive, but the best way to stop sinning is to stop trying to stop sinning. Instead, we should focus on surrendering to Christ. Instead of focusing on what we are doing wrong, we should focus on the reality of what Christ has already done for us. By keeping our eyes on His grace and His work on the cross, we can experience transformation through Him. When we surrender to Christ, we are reminded that it is not our own effort or willpower that leads to victory over sin but His strength working in us. We can rest in His finished work and trust in His continual refining process instead of fighting to be perfect. Every failure becomes an opportunity to lean into His grace, grow in humility, and draw nearer to the Savior who knows our struggles and offers forgiveness and strength. Don't let your failures define you; let His love and power redefine you as you walk in His victory.

UNDERSTAND

• Sin is part of life, but we rely on God's strength to overcome it.
• Christ’s sacrifice covers all our sins for those who trust in Him.
• When we cannot stop sinning, we need to focus on surrendering to Christ, not trying to stop sinning on our own.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all your sins change the way you approach your battle with sin?
• In what areas of your life do you need to focus more on surrendering to Christ rather than trying to achieve perfection on your own?
• How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ during moments of struggle with sin?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage others who are struggling with sin to find comfort in Christ’s finished work?
• How can we address sin without relying on our own effort, while still taking it seriously and not ignoring it?
• What practical steps can we take to surrender our desires to God and let Him reshape them?