The Root of the Problem
(Why We Sin and How We can Overcome)

by Andy Sochor

The book of Jeremiah contains a sad description of the people of Jerusalem.  “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done?  They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush.  Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall all be cast down,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 6:15). 

The problem they had was that they no longer felt shame for their sin.  I fear that many brethren are developing this inability to blush today.  I am not talking about the bold-faced rebellion against God and glorification of wickedness (though that may exist with some, too).  I am talking about the step that precedes this—the belief that sin is normal and to be expected among God’s people.

How often do brethren pray publicly that we (all the Christians in attendance) are weak and often sinning?  How often do we hear Christians speak about one going a day, or even an hour, without sinning as being completely unrealistic?  How often do you hear preachers say that they themselves often sin and regularly give in to temptation? 

Just to be clear, I am not saying that we should ignore sin.  If we are weak, we need to become stronger.  If we sin, we must repent and seek God’s forgiveness.  If we regularly give in to temptation, we need to grow and learn to resist. 

But if these conditions exist, it is very important that we recognize them as being a problem.  For Christians, sin is to be shameful, not accepted and expected.  We sin when we make the choice to sin.  There may be many factors that lead to our decision to sin, but it all comes down to our choice.

I would encourage you to stop thinking of sin as being normal for God’s people.  Sin is normal for the world.  Christians are to be different.  God provides a way of escape for every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).  If you want to find that way of escape, it is important to learn why you sin so you can then learn how to overcome.   

The Problem of Sin 

There are many problems facing the world today, such as poverty, injustice, famine and disease. Great amounts of time, effort and resources are used to try to find solutions to these problems.  Even if we have not felt the effects of these ourselves, it is natural as human beings to feel empathy toward those who are suffering.  This is particularly true if we heed Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). 

As difficult as these problems are to face, there is something that is much more destructive and prevalent.  That problem is sin. 

Romans 3:23 says: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” NASB

The problem of sin is not limited to a particular time, region or people—it is universal.  Sin was introduced into the world not long after Creation and will continue to be present until the universe is destroyed.  While it is good that one desires to help alleviate the other problems people face in the world, our primary focus should be on fixing the problem of sin—first in our own life, then also in the lives of others.

 Romans 3:23 Commentary by Adam Clarke

 [For all have sinned] And consequently are equally helpless and guilty; and, as God is no respecter of persons, all human creatures being equally His offspring, and there being no reason why one should be preferred before another, therefore His endless mercy has embraced ALL.

And come short of the glory of God] Kai husterountai tees doxees tou Theou. These words have been variously translated. Failed of attaining the glory of God: Have not been able to bring glory to God: Stand in need of the glory, that is, the mercy of God. The simple meaning seems to be this: that all have sinned and none can enjoy God's glory but those who are holy. Consequently, both Jews and Gentiles have failed in their efforts to attain it, as, by the works of any law, no human being can be justified.[1]

The language of Romans 3:23 implies that we have all sinned; but it does not say that we all keep on sinning.  That is a big difference in understanding this scripture.[2]

Jesus came to earth to provide forgiveness for our sins. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18).  His (Jesus) blood cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:7).  Thus, the remedy for sin is found in Christ.

However, Jesus’ work in dealing with sin was not limited simply to His providing forgiveness.  Forgiveness is certainly important—it is essential; for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  When we are forgiven, then through the grace of God we no longer stand to face the penalty for the sins we have committed.  Those transgressions will not be remembered against us anymore.  Thanks be to God for this fact!

But there is something else that Jesus provides for us in His death.  It carries with it a charge that we have been given.  Besides forgiveness of sins, Jesus also gives us freedom from sin.

Many do not understand this gift of freedom that Jesus has given.  They desire forgiveness, but they also want to continue in their sin.  They want the benefits of God’s grace without the responsibility of service to Christ.  Paul addresses this attitude among the saints in Rome.  His words are just as needful for us today.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2).

 The thinking of the Romans (as well as the thinking of many Christians today) only covers half of the picture.  Does the grace of God provide forgiveness?  Absolutely!  We need His grace because of our sin.  That much is completely true.  But then they developed a false assumption based on this fact.  In their mind, the more they sinned, the more grace they received.  However, this idea is simply not true.  Why?  Paul answers with a question:  “How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” 

Those who have become Christians have been forgiven of their pasted sins.  But there is more to it than that.  Not only have we been forgiven, but we have become dead to sin.  Paul stresses this point as he addresses the Roman saints’ misconception about grace and sin:

“knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7).

When we are crucified with Christ, we are made free from sin.  God’s grace does not give us freedom to sin without punishment.  God’s grace forgives us and sets us free from the shackles of sin.“ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). 

Paul then addresses the obvious question:  “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  May it never be!” (Romans 6:15).  Why not?  If God has forgiven us and His grace saves us, why do we need to be concerned about sin?

“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:16-18).

Sin enslaves us.  This can happen even after one has obeyed the gospel and has had his sins forgiven.  A Christian can still fall into sin, “obey its lusts” (Romans 6:12), and once again become enslaved to it.  Paul tell us,  “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). We would be wise to take advantage of God’s grace to obtain both forgiveness of sins and freedom from the bondage of sin.

Christians, therefore, are not to engage in sin.  Yet the sad reality is the Christians do.  We sin. We continue to fall short of the glory of God, even after being washed clean of our sins Why? And, what can we do to prevent it? 

Have you ever heard someone say, “We are only human?”  This is not a reason for us to sin, just an excuse. Man has repeatedly shown a preference to sin—some on occasion, some perpetually.  But everyone has done it.  When considering this fact, many get discouraged, thinking that there must be no way to overcome sin.  “We are only human” is the excuse that is given (as if this somehow justifies one’s actions).

One of the fundamental tenets of Calvinism is the inherent sinfulness of man.  Calvin’s doctrine of total depravity is the belief that we are born in such a state that we are totally corrupt, inclined toward sin, and unable to do what is right on our own.  The doctrine states that one cannot even come to God without a direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon his heart.

Yet the Bible teaches something very different than Calvin.  “God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). When we sin, it is because we choose to sin.  It is not because we are unable to help ourselves since God failed to do something that would keep us from sinning.  Calvin’s doctrine takes the blame for sin away from the one who commits it and places it upon God for not regenerating the sinner.

It is true that we are human.  But this is not an excuse for sin.  Granted, as long as we live, we will have the potential to sin.  But that does not excuse or justify it.  We still must make the choice: to do good or do evil.

Is a sinless life an impossible goal?  Being human does not necessarily mean being sinful.  The religious world has conditioned us to think this way; but sinfulness is not inherent in life on the earth.  We sin when we choose to sin.  So how do we begin our work of rooting out sin from our lives?  We must start by recognizing that being only human is not an excuse for sin.

Even though we are “only human,” God expects certain things from us.  We are to crucify the old man becoming dead to sin, and put on the new man (Galatians 2:20; 3:9; Romans 6:36).  We are called to holiness, as Peter said, “like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” ( 1 Peter 1:15).  Jesus tells us, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Is perfection really possible?  Obviously, we are unable to change the past and undo the sins we have previously committed.  That is where God’s forgiveness comes in.  But now realistic is it to think that from this point forward, we can live without sin?  Many will say that this is impossible.  I would say that while it may not necessarily be likely, it is possible.

Consider the assurance Paul gives to the brethren in Corinth:

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 We will never encounter a situation in which we cannot help but sin. Never. What this means is that every time you are tempted to sin, you can resist that temptation and do what is right. Every temptation that is presented to us can be resisted.  How can we be sure of this?  God made the promise. He provides a way of escape every time. We know it will be there because He is faithful. It is up to us to find that way of escape He has promised.

Despite the divine assurance that we can overcome each temptation, man continues to sin. Of those who recognize that their humanity is not an excuse and who understand what God requires of us, even that still sin. We must do more to root out sin from our lives. 

If you are going to remove sin from your life; stop making excuses. Though the history of man shows a preference for sin, this is a matter of choice, not inherent depravity.  Remember the divine promise:  every sin can be overcome.

To remove sin from our lives seems like a daunting, if not impossible, task.  While it is true that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), that does not mean that we must resign ourselves to a sin-filled future.  Many, even those who would call themselves Christians, are content to remain in sin.  This must not be our attitude.  We must be of the mindset that we are uncomfortable in sin, and then work diligently to overcome it.

The Bible tells us the way to never stumble.  But we’ll all still sin occasionally, right?  Just because Christians occasionally sin and have accepted it, that does not change what the scriptures teach.  There is a way to never stumble.  How? We must add to our faith.

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  (2 Peter 1:5-11). NASB

Notice what Peter says in this above verse.  As long as we practice these things—taking faith and adding moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love—we will never stumble.  The root causes of sin are simply not compatible with these virtues.  When we sin, it is because we have failed—even if just for a moment—to grow and continue in these virtues.

If in our lives we are able to continually devote ourselves to the practice and increase of these qualities, then we will never stumble.  As Christians, we need to start viewing this as a real goal rather than an unattainable ideal.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”      ( 1 Corinthians 10:13). NASB

Paul teaches us that we can overcome every temptation we face.  There will never come a temptation where our only option will be to commit sin.  We will always have the option to do what is right.  How can we be sure that a way of escape will be there every time? “God is faithful”—we can believe that every temptation can be overcome because we can believe completely in an unfailing God.

When it comes to sin, let us not make excuses for it, become accustomed to it, or remain content in it.  Instead, let each one of us give it up.

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”  (Romans 6:11).

“and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”  (1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus died on the cross to do more than just provide forgiveness of sins.  He died so that we, too, might die to sin.  He has given us the opportunity to escape the bondage we were previously under.

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,” (Romans 6:12).

Do not let sin reign over you.  Put it out of your life.  Diligently work to keep it from returning. Take hold of the freedom from sin that Christ offers to each of us.

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[1] (from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

 

[2] Morris Bowers comment

 

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