Sometimes we can get so caught up in keeping ourselves from sinning that when we do sin we fall into some serious shame and condemnation. We act like the most important part in Christianity is not sinning instead of loving God.

So we inevitably we sin (may it be a teeny tiny one or a big monstrosity), allow ourselves to enter into shame and condemnation, and we then wallow in our own guilt. We feel that our sin is too great for God to forgive. Understand that condemnation is not from God at all. Condemnation keeps us FROM God and in essence says to Jesus ‘Your blood isn’t good enough to cleanse me of this sin.’

So if condemnation is not from God, how do we stay clear of it?

Repent.

2 Cor. 7:10 ‘For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.’

Really repent. True repentance is a turning away from sin and to God. It is not simply saying ‘Lord, I repent’ and then still wanting to sin and seeking it out. If you find that your desires are fleshly and sinful pray ‘Lord, create in me clean and pure desires. Take out these sinful desires in my heart!’ Be honest with yourself. You won’t get past sinful desires if you never admit that they are there.

Aggressively fight thoughts.

2 Cor. 10:5 ‘…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”

We must be on the offensive with our thoughts. Learn how to distinguish when your mindsets are from the flesh and fight them with all you have. If you find your mindset is wrong, but don’t know how to fix it: Stop. Pray: ‘Lord, I know this mindset is wrong, but I don’t know how to fix it. Give me understanding. Lead me, Holy Spirit.”

Focus on enjoying God.

John 14:15 ‘If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.’

I don’t believe Jesus was making an ultimatum. ‘If you really love Me you’d do what I stinkin say!! Gosh..’ Instead I believe it is a reverse statement of ‘you will keep My commandments because you love Me.’ Focus your energy on daily renewing your mind by the washing of the water of the Word, and enjoy God by realizing He enjoys you.

Realize righteousness comes by faith.

Phil. 3:9 ‘not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;’

1 John 3:7 ‘He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.’

Righteousness comes by faith. When Jesus died for us we are made pure and righteous by His blood. Righteousness could never come from our own doing, but it is only by God’s grace and Jesus’ blood that we are called righteous. Realize that if you ask forgiveness, and turn and repent then you are made righteous and pure.

Don’t get me wrong, sin is sin. I’m not trying to lessen what sin is, but simply help those out who are stuck in condemnation.

Hit delete on yesterday, and press in today to knowing God.