The Sin Cycle

Step one in the sin cycle is to recognize sin as sin in our lives.  This is not easy, because we are often willing to deny or justify what we are doing as acceptable.  We are very good at writing excuses.  The Word of God and the Spirit of God work together to help us recognize sin in our lives. 

Step two is to confess the sin in our lives.  We need to be willing to admit that we are sinners and ask God for forgiveness and help.  Forgiveness for our past actions, or attitudes and help to change.

Step three is to accept.  We need to accept the forgiveness and the help that God offers to us.

Step four is to commit to do things differently.  Repentance is not just feeling bad, but it is about changing what we do, and say, and even think. 

Step five is to do.  If we are to truly change, then we need to “cease to do evil, learn to do good”.

The reason that I call this a sin cycle, is because it is an ongoing process.  Sometimes we are able to immediately change our behaviors, and sometimes it takes a while.  When we do manage to overcome certain sins in our lives then God will reveal to us other areas of our life that need to change.  The work that God does in our lives is ongoing, so the sin cycle repeats.

Tags: change, confession, forgiveness, prayer, sin