Chapter 37

Rejecting Sin

Sections

The Bible does not merely tell us not to sin. As this chapter shows, the Bible gives practical instruction on how to deal with any sin that we have done – and also on how to avoid sin in future.

Dealing with Sin

Be sorrowful over your sin

The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.   Psalms 51:17 NCV™

Confess your sin to God

[Nehemiah, to God:] I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against you as well as the sins that my father’s family and I have committed.   Nehemiah 1:6b GW

Ask God for forgiveness and restoration

[David, to God after committing terrible sin:] Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. 10Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.   Psalms 51:9-10 NCV™

Avoiding Sin

Ask God for help to avoid sin

[David, to God:] Don’t let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.   Psalms 19:13 CEV

For God will help us withstand temptation

[Paul, to believers:] You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.   1 Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Use God’s word to avoid sin

[A psalmist, to God:] I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you.   Psalms 119:11 CEV

Avoid sinful desires

[Peter, to believers:] Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, …   1 Peter 2:11 NET

Alternatives to Sin

Instead of living by sinful human nature, live by the Holy Spirit

God did this [sent Jesus to deal with sin] so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature.   Romans 8:4 GNT

Living by the Holy Spirit involves: focusing on what he wants; paying attention to his promptings; and relying on his power.

Instead of living as a slave to sin, live as a slave to God

[Paul, to believers:] But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life.   Romans 6:22 GNT

One of the most effective measures against sinning is to be busy doing good – as is the case when one lives as a slave to God.

Be Holy

We are to be holy, as God is holy

[God:] “You must be holy, because I am holy.”   1 Peter 1:14-16 ISV

Be set apart for God

[God, to the Israelites:] Therefore separate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.   Leviticus 20:7 ISV

Pray for persecuted Christians