When My Heart Condemns Me

“How long will it be before this nagging temptation and sin no longer has any control over me,” is something I have asked throughout my life. 

Do you find yourself doing things that you hate? Unable to control the temptation to repeatedly do what you know is wrong but without knowing how to stop? You and I are not alone in this struggle!

Paul said in Romans 7:15-18 AMP “For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].”

I have often reasoned to myself that, “If I could correct my behavior, put away my sin, and overcome temptation within my strength, I would most likely see myself as more important than I am. In fact, I might even question my need for a Savior. If I fail to acknowledge my sin nature and the generosity of God's grace and forgiveness, I would think myself more righteous than I am."

When we experience repetitive sin it generally results in our own hearts and minds condemning us. This can strip away our confidence to come to God and acknowledge our sin and restore our relationship with Him.

1 John 3:20-21 ESV “for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

I must confess and live before God the blood of Christ being more substantial than my persisting sin. Where else can I carry this burden of sin. I dare not conceal it in my heart, for there it will condemn me. What must I do?

1 John 1:9 ESV "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Confessing and owning up to my own weaknesses brings God’s cleansing to the areas that have control over me and negatively influence my life. God’s Word is powerful enough to effect change in my behavior as I seek to apply it to my life. I will go to my Father, who loves me, and continually lay before Him a desire to have Him deliver me from the sin I can’t free myself of. His love, forgiveness, and mercy are greater than my sin. 

He will change me, for I cannot change myself.

~ Pastor Mike

James 5:16 ESV "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.