What does it mean to "struggle" with something? The word "struggle" means to "fight against"; it means to "strive not to give in". It doesn't mean or imply that the one who is struggling is on the losing side of the struggle. And yet, many "Christians" when they say that they are struggling with sin they mean that they are committing sin(s) even while trying not to.
They mean that they have struggled and then they were defeated by sin. And so perhaps the word "defeated" rather than "struggling" more accurately describes such people. Sadly, many people accept such "struggling" (actually defeat) as a way of life. They have not truly struggled so hard that they have suffered any great deal striving with all their might not to give in to temptations (Hebrews 12:4).
Look, here's the deal. We probably experience the same frustrations on a daily basis. We rise in the morning and repeat to ourselves, “Today, I’m going to do better. Today, I’m not going to let Satan get the best of me. I’m going to serve the Lord and follow his will for my life.” And then what happens? We fall into the same pit that we fell into the day before.
We let our minds wander to places they shouldn't be wandering. We utter harsh, bitter, and unkind words. We treat others in an unloving way that doesn't at all reflect the love of our Savior. We put our own wants, desires, and interests ahead of God's will. Every day we give in to temptation and fall into sin. It’s both frustrating, and sad. Believe me, I know!
This daily struggle with sin can bring any number of questions or even doubts into our minds “Am I a good Christian? If I can’t even do what God wants me to do for just one day, can I really claim to be one of Jesus’ followers? Maybe my faith isn't strong enough. Maybe I’m just not good enough to be saved.”
The apostle Paul himself struggled with the above questions. Yes, that's right. Paul, the mighty apostle, the one who wrote over half the New Testament, the one who traveled to the ends of the earth proclaiming the gospel, the one who endured floggings, beatings, imprisonment, and shipwreck, and even gave up his life all for the sake of Christ.
Listen, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would call Paul a lesser Christian. And yet, even while wrestling with with his own concerns what does he say? “I have desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. The evil that I do not want to do, this I keep on doing. What a wretched man I am!” (Romans 7:18-19,24) This isn't Paul talking about the days before his conversion when he was a Pharisee and a persecutor of the church. This is Paul, the seasoned apostle, talking about his daily struggle with sin.
So, how do you address these questions and doubts? Does the fact that you struggle with sin somehow mean that you are less of a Christian? Does it mean that if you were really a good follower of Christ you wouldn't have all these problems with temptation and sin? Now, I'm not saying that a Christian won't struggle with temptation. Certainly, we might suffer or struggle, and it might be difficult. But, we can overcome.
Remember, even Jesus suffered when he was tempted (Hebrews 2:18). When a Christian is tempted, he must make sure that he is fully submitted to God and resist the temptation; the devil will then flee (James 4:7). For we are promised that not temptation will be too difficult for us because God himself will make a way for us to stand up under every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do you recall the Garden of Gethsemane?
Additionally, don't believe the lie that because you struggle you are in sin. It's not true! Struggling against sin doesn't mean that you are displeasing God. Struggling against sin is one of the main evidences that you hate sin. Christians do struggle with sin...and then get the victory through faith. So, struggle and be victorious through the glorious power of our great and mighty God.
A wholehearted Christian is someone who struggles against sin and then gains the victory through Christ who gives him strength. One last thing, keep in mind that God has an impossibly high ability to forgive us. Which is good, because we have an impossibly high ability to sin. And isn't that exactly what the Bible says? “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20)
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6:13
Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to you, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen.
May God bless you!
Sarah
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