Dealing with sin 😌

🌿 Memory Verse: 

                 “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”  ~ Matthew 5:29-30

Dealing with sin is not an easy topic to talk about. Many times, we would rather avoid it, downplay it, or pretend it is not there. But sin is something every believer faces at different stages of their walk with God. It shows up in our thoughts, our desires, our habits, and even in things we once considered normal.

In Matthew 5, Jesus speaks very honestly about sin. His words are strong, but they are not meant to be taken literally in the physical sense. When Jesus says to cut off your hand or remove your eye, He is not instructing us to harm ourselves. Rather, He is emphasizing how serious sin is and how intentional we must be about dealing with it. He is calling us to remove anything that leads us away from God, no matter how close, comfortable, or familiar it may be.

In our daily lives, sin does not always appear as something obvious or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like small compromises, repeated habits, content we keep consuming, or choices we keep excusing. Over time, these things weaken our spiritual sensitivity and make living a holy life feel harder than it should be.

We are not alone in this. ✌

One comforting truth is that we are not fighting this battle alone. Jesus understands what it means to live in a broken world. When He was on earth, He experienced temptation, pressure, and human weakness. He knows how difficult it can be to live a holy life in a world that constantly pulls us in the opposite direction. If you are struggling with sin and you are aware of it, that is not a sign of failure. It is actually a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in you. Conviction is not condemnation. The fact that you desire to live differently, that you feel uneasy about sin, and that you want to please God shows that your heart is being shaped by Him.

Before we talk about how to deal with sin biblically, it is important to address the kinds of sin we often overlook in our daily lives. Many times, we excuse certain actions because they feel justified or normal to us. For example, if someone intentionally hurts you, insults you, or embarrasses you, it feels natural to respond with anger, harsh words, or bitterness. From a human point of view, that reaction seems reasonable. However, according to God’s Word, uncontrolled anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness are sins that grieve the Holy Spirit.  There are sins we commit quietly, without realizing how serious they are in God’s eyes. Things like holding grudges, entertaining lustful thoughts, speaking badly about others, thinking negatively about someone in our hearts, or refusing to forgive an enemy may not seem like a big deal to us. Yet the Bible shows us that these things matter deeply to God. Sin is not only about our outward actions but also about the condition of our hearts. The danger is not just in doing wrong, but in justifying it and becoming comfortable with it. When we excuse sin, we slowly dull our spiritual sensitivity and distance ourselves from God without even noticing.  Matthew 5:21–22 (NIV) says, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

This shows us that sin is not only about extreme actions like murder. Jesus makes it clear that unchecked anger and bitterness in the heart already matter to God. What we justify as a normal reaction can still be sinful in His eyes. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” ~Ephesians 4:30–31 (NIV).  This verse reminds us that sins like bitterness, unforgiveness, harsh words, and negative thoughts grieve the Holy Spirit. Even when these things feel small or understandable to us, they affect our relationship with God.

Biblical ways to deal with sin

The Bible does not just expose sin, it also gives us guidance on how to deal with it.

First, be honest with God. Confession is the beginning of healing. God already knows, but He wants us to come to Him with a sincere heart.

Second, cut off what feeds the sin. This is what Jesus was emphasizing in Matthew 5. If something consistently causes you to fall, it may need to be removed or limited. This could be certain content, environments, habits, or even relationships.

Third, rely on the Holy Spirit. Holiness is not achieved by human strength alone. We need God’s grace daily. The Holy Spirit helps us resist, grow, and renew our minds.

Lastly, stay in the Word. God’s Word strengthens us, corrects us, and reminds us of who we are in Christ. A weak spiritual life often makes sin louder, but a nourished spirit makes obedience easier.

Conclusion💜

Dealing with sin is a process, not a one-time decision. God is patient, and He is more interested in your growth than your perfection. Do not give up on yourself. Do not let guilt push you away from God. Let conviction draw you closer to Him. Holiness is not about being flawless. It is about choosing God again and again, even when it is hard. And the good news is this: God walks with us through every step of the journey.

🎧 Song Recommendation: What a God by SEU Worship