Sin can be difficult to understand, and harder to overcome. But from my own experience, I’ve come to learn more about God, His grace, and His love for us as people. These are my thoughts on what God thinks about sin based on His Word so if you’re struggling with a habitual sin, or the shame that the enemy uses to keep us in sin, I’m praying that this post blesses you!

First and foremost, God loves you so much! He loves you more than you’ll ever comprehend. He hates the sin, but He LOVES you. When He looks at you, He doesn’t see sin. He sees Jesus because Christ took residence inside your heart when you gave your life to Christ.

He willingly decided to take your place. He became flesh so that your relationship with God could be restored. God wouldn’t have sent His son to die on the cross unless He thought that you were worth it. The complete opposite is actually true. God sent His son because He didn’t want a world without you.

[bctt tweet=”God wouldn’t have sent His son to die on the cross unless He thought that you were worth it. Jesus died because He didn’t want a world without you.” username=”heyhanha”]

So when you sin, no matter how often, God wants you to come to Him. We can’t allow shame to prevent us from approaching the throne and asking God for forgiveness. Failure to do this is a clear indication that we don’t understand the power of the gospel or the beauty of the cross. 1 John 4:16-19 says,

16 God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

19 We love each others because he loved us first He loves.

Related: 3 Reasons to Fall in Love with God

The Cycle of Sin

Sin only brings confusion. Just like Adam and Eve who tried to make fig leaves and cover themselves after they sinned, sin makes us think that we must make a covering for ourselves and find provision outside of God’s will.

So you spend more time with your significant other/spouse rather than God. You cover yourself with the pleasure of sexual impurity rather than the righteousness of the Holy Spirit. You turn to the comfort of food or substances rather the comfort of Christ.

It’s why you feel like you can’t turn to God. It’s why you can’t bare to go to church because you feel so unclean. You keep beating yourself up because you don’t understand why you can’t get it right. So you sin again. You find yourself in this never-ending cycle of sinning, and then sitting in shame, and then sinning once more. It’s why some pastoral leaders step down from their role in ministry because they feel unworthy. They fail to realize that God’s grace is sufficient.

God Does Not Condemn You

I’m not saying that sin doesn’t have consequences. “The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23),” but don’t fall into the trap of the enemy by thinking you’re too far from God’s reach. That thought or seed of doubt is not from God.

The truth is we were never really “deserving,” but Jesus died anyways while we were STILL sinners (Romans 5:8). And if you need help understanding the depth of this, this amazing devotional titled, “Love to the Uttermost,” gives a wonderful revelation to that.

God is merciful and gracious. Matthew 9:36 says,

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. – Matthew 9:36

God is also full of compassion. When you humble yourself and recognize your need for healing, redemption, and deliverance, Jesus takes His rightful role as Savior. It says in Luke 19:10,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Let’s be clear. God is displeased with your sin, but He does not sit there in heaven and condemn you. John 3:17 says, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” Condemnation is not His strategy.

How to Deal with Sin

True freedom from sin comes from spending time with God in His presence. Do use wisdom when you are battling a serious addiction or mental health condition and know when to seek professional help, but many Christians who are struggling with sin should repent, which is to turn away from their sin and turn towards God.

Related: 10 Ways to Remove Distractions and Choose God First

The greatest thing about God is that He is alive. When you spend time with Him on a consistent basis, you encounter His love for you. You encounter His grace, and it’s the sweetest thing you will ever know. He brings living water and refreshes your soul. He fills your empty voids. He gives you peace and hope. He changes your entire life.

He goes even further and helps you sort your emotions. He helps you process things, and if you sit long enough, He takes you through a healing process. But the whole time, He’s loving you harder. He’s loving you deeper. He leads by example when demonstrating 1 Peter 4:8 where it says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Turning from Sin

Know that God’s love is not an excuse to keep sinning, but there is FULL redemption in Jesus Christ! As you grow in Him and learn your identity, there comes a point when you respond to His encounter by turning from your ways. You begin to obey His commandments – not out of obligation, but out of honor. You live by His standards out of reverence and respect for His sovereignty. You start to trust that His plan for your life is better than what you could come up with on your own.

There’s no pressure to be perfect. He said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). You won’t always get it right, but God calls you His beloved. So sit there, and be loved. Seek Him wholeheartedly, and know that when you seek Him, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

[bctt tweet=”You won’t always get it right, but God calls you His beloved. So sit there, and be loved.” username=”heyhanha”]

It won’t be easy. In fact, it’ll probably be one of the hardest things you ever have to overcome. But the enemy will attack where you are purposed. He’ll use generational curses to stop you from accomplishing what you’re destined to do here on this earth.

Thankfully, you already have the victory! You can take heart because God has overcome (John 16:33). And greater is He that is in You, then he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). If you’re looking for a way to grow deeper in your walk with God, for accountability to spend more time with Him, the Jesus is Bae Challenge is just for you. Sign up below!