Struggling with Sin and Spiritual Failure in Daily Life
Struggling with sin and spiritual failure is a pervasive theme throughout the biblical narrative and Christian theology, reflecting the ongoing internal conflict experienced by believers. The Apostle Paul describes this struggle vividly, noting, "I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members" [2]. He further laments, "I am carnall, solde vnder sinne" [3]. This internal battle is not unique to Paul; the psalmist expresses a similar sentiment, acknowledging, "For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me" [4]. Another psalm speaks of being surrounded by "innumerable evils" and iniquities that have "overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up" [1].
Sin is broadly defined as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [6]. This includes not only outward actions but also the inward state of the soul, encompassing both omissions and commissions [6]. It is an offense against a personal lawgiver, God, and is intrinsically vile and deserving of punishment [6]. The Bible describes sin as a transgression of the law, originating from the devil, and encompassing all unrighteousness [7]. Even the thought of foolishness is considered sin, and all the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are sinful [7].
The struggle against sin is a constant reality for believers. While all humans are born with a sinful nature, the godly are characterized by their fight against it, in contrast to the wicked who indulge it [8]. This battle is described as a war between God's Spirit and our sinful nature [10]. The deceptive and hardening power of sin requires daily vigilance and mutual warning among believers [9].
Despite the ongoing struggle, the Bible also addresses the temptation to despair. While despair can lead the wicked to continue in sin or even blasphemy, saints are sometimes tempted by it but are enabled to overcome through trust in God [5]. The ultimate freedom from sin is anticipated in the resurrection [10].
Sources
- Psalms “For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me. -- Psalms 40:12”
- Romans “but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. -- Romans 7:23”
- Romans “Romans 7:14 (Geneva1599) — For we knowe that the Law is spirituall, but I am carnall, solde vnder sinne.”
- Psalms “For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. -- Psalms 51:3”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Despair — Produced in the wicked by divine judgments -- De 28:34,67; Re 9:6; 16:10. Leads to Continuing in sin. -- Jer 2:25; 18:12. Blasphemy. -- Isa 8:21; Re 16:10,11. Shall seize upon the wicked at the appearing of Christ -- Re 6:16. Saints sometimes tempted to -- Job 7:6; La 3:18. Saints enabled to overcome -- 2Co 4:8,9. Trust in God, a preservative against -- Ps 42:5,11. Exemplified Cain. -- Ge 4:13,14. Ahithophel. -- 2Sa 17:23. Judas. -- Mt 27:5.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sin — Is the transgression of the law -- 1Jo 3:4. Is of the devil -- 1Jo 3:8; Joh 8:44. All unrighteousness is -- 1Jo 5:17. Omission of what we know to be good is -- Jas 4:17. Whatever is not of faith is -- Ro 14:23. The thought of foolishness is -- Pr 24:9. All the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are -- Ge 6:5; 8:21. Described as Coming from the heart. -- Mt 15:19. The fruit of lust. -- Jas 1:15. The sting of death. -- 1Co 15:56. Rebellion against God. -- De 9:7; Jos 1:18. Works of darkness. -- Eph 5:11. Dead works. -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. The abominable thing that Go”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:13: 3:13 Using the word “today” from Ps 95:7, the author challenges his hearers to warn each other every day against the deceptive and hardening power of sin.”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:17: 5:17 We cannot simply decide to keep the law and not sin: A war rages between God’s Spirit and our sinful nature (see Rom 7:14-25; 1 Pet 2:11; cp. Gen 4:7). The answer is not human effort at law-keeping, but living by God’s Spirit. When we are resurrected, we will finally be freed from sin (see Rom 8:18-25).”