This section is kind of two parts put together, and are so vital to understanding your walk with Christ and experiencing God.
Sin is everywhere, all the time, no matter what. We live in a broken world with broken souls. It sucks to think about, but it’s so important to remember. So let’s dive in.
Sin is listed in many places across the Bible, and the Word guides us to how we can live by steering away from those sins, repentance, and forgiveness. The Word claims that it is crucial to not go towards those actions, people, or anything that does not entertain the ideals of the Fruits of the Spirit, etc. Check out a couple passages that many people might want to skip over, but it’s so important. This is the topic that should be hard to read and value because it is convicted. It should be convicting because that means your heart is working! Your heart is seeing that you have things to work on which is good. That’s a first step in understanding your sin.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
-Galatians 5:19-26
Let’s put this in a list form, shall we?
Sins
- Sexual immorality
- Impurity
- Debauchery
- Idolatry
- Witchcraft
- Hatred
- Discord
- Jealousy
- Fits of rage
- Selfish ambition
- Dissensions
- Factions and envy
- Drunkenness
- Orgies
Fruits of the Spirit
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Forbearance
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-Control
Tons of people know the famous fruits of the spirit passage, which is awesome! We can’t recognize how to truly live and fulfill the great life the God’s given us without that. However, no one remembers what is right above that passage. These sins are what keep us completely separated from our Creator. How scary. Each word in this passage makes it clear that any form of those sins keeps the distance between you and God, and in the end will help you not inherit the Kingdom of God.
We all have similar goals, I would hope, which are to live on earth remembering that eternity with the Lord is the home we strive for. God knows that we will fall, God knows that we are not perfect. So don’t push yourself if you feel that you are struggling. Go to God. Understand that you are imperfect, and that the only way to resolve those things are to go to God and ask for help, repentance, and to have a heart that wants to live with the fruits of the spirit.
What are you asking for forgiveness from the Father today? Remember, repentance means literally turning a 180* on whatever you were doing to completely start anew without that sin or issue.
The Lord wants you to understand that He knows you will fall, but He is ready in open arms to catch you. Don’t be ashamed, He already knows the sins you have done and the sins you will do. Go to God. Repent, and strive for the other list above, the fruits of the spirit.
Sin is simply a part of our life, but God sent his Son so we can repent and be forgiven. It’s healthy to confront your sins and see them written out in a location of the Bible which is all-truth, God-breathed. Don’t forget that even the parts of the Bible that are not all flowers and love on the outside are very important to our relationship with God and each other, and are written for us because He loves us and wants us to succeed. Don’t skip the dirty, understand it. Run from those sins. That way, you can come out stronger with the Lord at your heart.