Even as born-again believers in Jesus Christ we still sin often. Sadly, when we do, we are often harder on ourselves for our failures than we should be. Yes, we should not be pleased about our sin and should confess, apologize, and try to do better, but we should not beat ourselves up after we’ve done that. I know I’ve fallen into the pit of being overly disgusted with myself even after repenting and you probably have to. It’s especially easy to get down on yourself for committing the same sin over and over. You may think to yourself you should be past that sin or have been wise enough not to fall for the same temptation or trap again.
Don’t beat yourself up too much. God understands your weaknesses.
Scripture makes it clear that we have an impossible time taming the sin of our words (Jms 3:8). It also makes it clear that we live in bodies that are weak and drawn to sin:
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Rom 7:14-22)
These verses help to show that God understands our weakness and struggles. That’s exactly why Jesus came! He knows we can’t save ourselves and He knows that even after being saved that we will still sin because we live in sinful bodies in a sinful world full of temptations.
Let me show you more evidence of God understanding your weak condition and sinfulness. Jesus not only understands the struggles of the flesh against sin but He experienced it!
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:15-16)
Look what He said in Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion:
… The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak … (Mt 26:41)
Jesus knows that your flesh is weak even though deep in your spirit you desire to follow and please Him. He knows that you are made of dust as has compassion on you:
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust. (Ps 103:13-14)
God understands your weaknesses and failures, and He is in your corner to help you. He helps you during your struggle:
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb 2:18)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)
God also forgives and accepts you back after you sin and repent:
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Lk 15:3-7)
Jesus seeks to bring you back to Him when you’ve wandered off. He desires to carry you back into His secure fold on His shoulders when you’ve failed and repented. He is not looking for you as a lost sheep so He can punish you and fry you up as a lamb chop. He knows you are a sheep. Now, sheep are dumb animals, they smell, and they are prone to wander. It is no mystery why we are called sheep because that is us from a spiritual perspective.
Remember how Jesus forgave and reinstated Peter after he had denied knowing Him three times?
God understands your weaknesses, that you will sin, and that you will wander. He is there to try to help you and not hurt you. He not only is glad to welcome you back, but He is often working to bring you back to Him when you’ve wandered.
Don’t be too hard on yourself when you struggle against sin and if you fail. Don’t take it lightly either though. Try with all that is in you to be holy and righteous, but when you do sin, confess right away, apologize, ask for help not to do it again, and try not to fall into the same trap.
God loves you and is for you.
… This I know, that God is for me. (Ps 56:9)
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear … (Ps 118:6)
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Forgive yourself when He forgives you.
Think about it
Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself after a spiritual failure even after you’ve repented? Why? Are you hesitant to forgive yourself because you think God hasn’t? Are you too proud thinking you should be better and have not done it? Are you punishing yourself with guilt because you think you deserve it? Are you listening to the devil who likes to throw your sin in your face to diminish you? Do you not understand God’s love because you’ve never experience unconditional love?
How does the thought of Jesus seeking you and carrying you back on His shoulders from wandering when you’ve sinned change your thoughts of self-forgiveness when you’ve repented? What about the idea of angels rejoicing when one of God’s children repents? Do these images help you forgive yourself? Do you not understand God’s love because you’ve never experience unconditional love?
Does it help you to forgive yourself knowing that God understands your weaknesses? That He even said the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?
Can you be easier on yourself when you’ve sinned and repented now?
God understands your weaknesses, He forgives you when you confess and purpose in your heart to try to do better, He loves you and is on your side.
