As humans, we are particularly prone to get into habitual sins. Some people battle with their wrath, others with their whining, and others with lust or intoxication. Sins we regularly commit can stay in our lives for many years, perhaps a lifetime.
This post will discuss what the Bible says about habitual sins.
The Danger of Habitual Sin
People frequently stick with what they are familiar with, even if it is unhealthy for them. For instance, some people cling to harmful habits for fear of change. Additionally, they might harbor resentment or anger over an old incident and transfer those emotions to other people, even their kids.
In Genesis 20, we can see that Abraham’s habitual sin is lying. He lied about his wife when he moved to Gerar, claiming she was his sister out of self-preservation. In Genesis 12, he relocated to Egypt and behaved similarly. Abraham typically commits the sin of lying under duress.
When a particular sin becomes a habit for us, it makes us think that doing it is okay. The act becomes second nature without knowing that we harm people around us.
Habitual sins are similar to undesired weight or obesity that we want to lose. The apostle Paul refers to the “old man” as the accumulation of these repeated bad habits and misdeeds. He tells us to get rid of the “old man” like we would get rid of dead skin cells or old clothes (Ephesians 4:22).
Overcoming Habitual Sin
We must recognize and name our deeply ingrained sins to overcome them. Reflecting on which sins you find yourself committing most frequently or what sins you are most prone to commit is an excellent first step in overcoming your habitual sin.
God urges us to get rid of anything that can tempt us to sin in Hebrews 12:1. He is forewarning us against sins that are simple to fall into and can hurt us. Each of us struggles with and is prone to repeating particular sins.
Because our deeply ingrained sins are a part of our personalities, it can be challenging to identify them. If a person’s grandfather and mother struggled with anger and now struggle with it, too, they may not be aware that it’s an issue. They may think it’s just a normal aspect of their personality.
Flaws like boasting are sometimes tolerated by society. If we embrace society’s viewpoint, it can be difficult to notice these crimes (Romans 12:2).
Another step toward overcoming habitual sins is to realize our vulnerability to them. We are most vulnerable to evil when we believe we are no longer susceptible to it—when we think we have defeated it. We can certainly begin to retain a certain level of victory thru God’s grace.
But, we must understand our own frailty and tendency to stumble. We can reflect on what the apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:3.
We should not have faith in our own ability. Paul also stated in Romans 7:18 that his flesh had no goodness.
Many Christians revert to old habits because they are overconfident and believe they have overcome their weaknesses. “Pride goes before destruction,” Proverbs 16:18 cautions, “a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Bottom Line
We are susceptible to sin. We must humbly admit our vulnerability to them to triumph over habitual sins. Take care not to fall if you believe you are standing or have overcome it.
We must accept the words of God to build our faith. It is not only how we are saved but also how we grow as individuals (Romans 16:25). God helps us both be saved and become better people. The Bible declares that God will complete what He began in us on the day Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6).
