Recognizing Life-Dominating Sins

Introduction

Only after you experience a spiritual new birth and then continually obey Scripture will you be able to recognize and overcome a life-dominating sin in a manner that pleases and glorifies the Lord (based on Romans 6:6-7, 11, 16-18; 8:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 6:9-12, 19-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 5:14, 13:20-21; James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 2:2-3, 12; 2 Peter 1:2-11).

Characteristics of a Life-Dominating Sin

You practice this sin even though you have tried repeatedly to stop (disregarding Romans 6:1-2, 6-7, 11-13; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 19-20; Galatians 5:16-17).

You practice this sin and blame others or circumstances for your failure to stop (disregarding Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

You deny that what you are doing is sin (disregarding 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:8).

You convince yourself that you are not enslaved to this sin and “can stop at any time,” even though you continue in this sin (disregarding John 8:34; Romans 6:1-2, 16; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 2:10, 4:17; 1 John 3:3).

You convince yourself that this sin has no power over you since do not commit this sin as much as you once did (disregarding John 14:15; Romans 6:12-16; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:22).

You repeat the sin even though any pleasure or satisfaction to yourself is short-lived while the harm to yourself and others is considerable and long term (disregarding Romans 6:16, 21; 14:7-8, 19; 15:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 5:16-17; James 1:14-15; 1 Peter 4:3-6).

You seek to hide your sin (disregarding Psalm 32:1-5; John 3:19-21; Ephesians 5:8-17; James 5:16) by:

Having separate “sets” of friends or acquaintances (i.e., you lead a “double life”), taking care not to let either know about the other (disregarding Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11);

Lying on a regular basis to cover up your sin (disregarding Proverbs 6:16-19, 12:22, 28:13; Colossians 3:9-10);

Trying to make others think that you are living God’s way (disregarding Proverbs 6:12-15; Mark 7:20-23, esp. verse 22; 2 Timothy 3:13; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:1-3);

Acting indignant or surprised when someone finds inconsistencies in your life that lead them to suspect your problem (disregarding Proverbs 14:8, 27:6, 29:9; James 1:22-24); or

Being contentious and seeking to develop factions among believers by encouraging others to take up your cause against others in the local church (disregarding Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 12:14).

You revile or slander the very people who are seeking to restore you to the Lord and others (disregarding Psalm 15:1-3; Proverbs 10:16-17, 16:28; Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:20-23, esp. verse 22; Ephesians 4:31-32; James 5:9; 1 Peter 2:1-3).

You continue in this sin although you know that it is no edifying to do so (disregarding Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23-24).

You still commit this sin although you know that it obscures the testimony of Jesus Christ in your life and is a stumbling block to others (disregarding Matthew 5:16; Romans 14:13; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 24; 3:15-16).

You continue in this sin despite the knowledge that God’s Word tells you to stop sinning and that God’s provisions are sufficient to release you from this bondage (disregarding Romans 6:5-7, 12-14, 22; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 4:17; 1 John 4:4).

You repeatedly commit this sin while knowing that this does not please the Lord nor bring glory to God (disregarding 1 Corinthians 6:20, 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 2:11-12).

You continue in this sin even though you realize that your deeds (thoughts, words, and actions) do not conform to the character of Christ (disregarding 2 Corinthians 10:5; Galatians 2:20, 5:22-24; Colossians 3:1-11; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:2-3).

Man’s View of Life-Dominating Sin

The philosophy of this world often teaches that “undesirable behavior” (what the Bible names as sin) is caused by a “disease” or “predisposition” with which we must learn to live (“to cope”). Helping you “cope” often involves drug therapy, psychoanalysis, or even encouragement to accept an “alternative lifestyle.” Thus, we see that man’s natural wisdom tries to deal with problems in life by “redefining” sin and/or encouraging acceptance of sin. As a result, God’s Word is rejected as the authority for all of life, thus leading many to increasing heartache, misery, and delusion.

The world recognizes that some life-dominating problems are detrimental to one’s life (e.g., criminal acts, procrastination, and laziness, “phobia”), and people are encouraged to deal with them. However, plans for overcoming these problems are based on natural wisdom, disregarding God’s power and the guidelines of His Word. “Solutions” such as these exalt man and do not teach a person to please the Lord in all things.

Some of Man’s Erroneous Explanations for Life-Dominating Sins

Certain individuals have a genetic pre-disposition to certain “preferences” and cannot help themselves and, thus, are not responsible for their subsequent deeds (often used to explain homosexuality).

Certain problems that control individuals are “diseases,” and must be treated as such (often used to explain depression, fears, or “phobias,” drug or alcohol abuse, “personality disorders”).