Reasons We Keep Falling Short

1. Trying to Stop with Your Own Strength

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Galatians 3:1–3 ESV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

You cannot defeat sin by mere willpower.

Romans 7:15 ESV

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Romans 7:18–20 ESV

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Romans 7:24–25 ESV

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

2. Have Not Cut Off the Source of the Sin

Cannot stop gossiping if you’re in toxic group chats

There are some people that we need to avoid - especially those who do not benefit our Christianity

Can’t stop drunkeness if you keep going to the same parties or bar

Paul encourages the Colossians to continue eliminating sinful behaviors from their lives and cultivating Christian virtues. 

Colossians 3:5–6 ESV

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

3. Feeding Flesh More than the Spirit

Spending 5 hours on the Bible and 5 minutes on social media - flesh is winning

You become what you consume

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

Your innermost thoughts and attitudes reveal your true character, often more than your external actions.

Romans 13:14 ESV

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Avoid situations, media, or habits that trigger sinful desires (e.g., immorality, greed, pride).

 Focus of spiritual growth through prayer, reading the Word and Obedience

4. Haven’t Truly Repented

Have you repented if you’re sorry you got caught?

Are you grieved that you hurt God?

Matthew 3:8 ESV

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

This a biblical mandate from John the Baptist, calling for tangible, visible evidence of a transformed life, not merely words of apology.

True repentance changes behavior

Fake repentance just feels bad for the moment

Ongoing Process: It is not a one-time event but a continuous lifestyle of choosing Christ, producing consistent, good fruit over time.

CONCLUSION

Stop trying to do things on your own

Cut off the source of your Sin

Feed the soul rather than the Flesh

Know what real repentance looks like