... you might want to rethink avoiding God even for a moment. Because it’s when we’re grappling with the consequences of sins that we should draw closer to God all the more.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 (NKJV)
She was at it again the other day. Burning with regrets and with her unsavory reactions weighing heavily on her, she slumped onto the couch with her face buried deep in her hands. She looked me in the eye and asked, "How many times do I have to remind myself to remain calm when provoked?"
There are times when she manages to keep a level head, not easily ruffled by provocation—but that’s not always the case.
She did not raise her voice, but she let out a scathing remark.
My friend could have handled it much better. Berating someone does not have to be harsh. She could have thoughtfully framed her words, effectively diffusing anger instead of inciting backlash.
But haven’t we all been guilty of the same mistake at some point?
Striving to Be Holy
Trying not to buckle under the weight of life’s snares and searing circumstances is quite the challenge for most of us, even among spiritually mature Christians. Our sinful nature can still rear its ugly head now and then when our morals, patience, and resilience are put through a wringer.
As such, we can liken our Christian walk to a surfer aiming to ride the menacing waves as flawlessly as possible—it's no small feat even for seasoned surfers. Despite the rigorous training, towering waves and riptides can violently throw surfers off balance, dragging them down into the deep. It’s a hit-and-miss, even for experienced surfers, so it is with battle-scarred Christians trying to ride out the threatening arrows of the enemy.
Despite our ardent desire to obey the Lord, striving not to succumb to the enemy’s sly maneuvers, we still find ourselves unable to measure up to God’s standards, time and again. As such, whenever we fail to live up to God’s expectations, we tend to beat ourselves up, crestfallen for having repeatedly disappointed God.
Given this, I once came across someone on TV who shared that whenever he sinned against God, he felt remorseful, but instead of asking God for forgiveness, he would distance himself from the Lord for days.
As the Spirit of God dwells in us, we become acutely sensitive to the pain and shame of sin that cuts deep into our very core, feeling our unworthiness, our darkness in the face of God’s holy light.
No wonder some of us are inclined to run away from God instead of running towards Him when the pang of guilt rips through us.
"When Simon Peter saw it, he fell to Jesus’ knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!'” Luke 5:8 (NKJV)
Nonetheless, if you’re someone who is anxious, uncomfortable, or even scared of speaking to God after having rebelled against Him, you might want to rethink avoiding God even for a moment. Because it’s when we’re grappling with the consequences of sins that we should draw closer to God all the more.
We must never allow the enemy to sow seeds of lies and doubts in our minds, causing us to think that God is already fed up with us. God sees our hearts. What He wants to see in us is a godly sorrow over our sins and our eagerness to stand up after every fall, striving to obey Him despite being frayed with flaws.
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)
Nevertheless, the path to holiness can only be achieved if we abide in Him and don't rely on our efforts.
Abide in God’s Light to Overcome Sin
God would be aggrieved if we allowed ourselves to wallow in spiritual laziness, showing a disregard for His commands. Thus, yielding to God’s will and wisdom brings joy to His heart.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 (NIV)
However, just like a leaf that wilts, shrivels up, and dies when it falls off a tree, our spiritual walk with God will suffer a hefty blow if we don’t remain tethered to His words and guidance.
Going against our sinful nature entails a formidable effort. We know full well that, as humans, our fallen nature makes us predisposed to slip up and commit missteps now and then. We are utterly powerless in the face of the enemy’s snares. As such, pushing ourselves to adhere to God’s commands and overcoming sins by our own strength is futile.
It is only when we abide in God that we can quash and overpower the work of the flesh, stifling the authority it wields over us. And it’s for this reason that Jesus died for us, giving us the victory to "trample on serpents and scorpions” enabling us to triumph over the flaming darts of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Thus, if we abide in Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit will be magnified and set fiercely ablaze within us, fuelling our desire to do the will of the Father. As such, we become more than conquerors—not only are we capable of overcoming the temptations hurled at us by the devil, but we are also able to dominate and overpower the enemy’s fierce and deceitful attacks.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
What Does It Mean to Stop Striving and Start Abiding?
Abiding continually in God’s presence enables us to be transformed into the likeness of His Son, releasing the power of the Holy Spirit within us and purifying the intentions and desires of our hearts. As a result, we are no longer slaves to sin, for our desires are no longer aligned to the flesh but conformed to the ways of the Spirit.
Thus, as we abide more in Christ, the less we need to strive to overcome temptations—for we’re no longer of the flesh, but “We’re new creatures in Christ," ever-evolving to mirror the character of our Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:17 [KJV]).
For those who live for God, abiding continually in Him,, sin has lost its enchantment. We begin to perceive our offenses in a different light. Feelings of holy repulsion and disgust towards sin develop within us.
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
As a result, there is no longer a need to strive harder to curb our appetite for sins—for the Spirit of the Lord that’s within us is constantly at work, subjugating the flesh and transforming our desires.
Thus, abiding in God requires us to remain in His presence, live for Him, and stay rooted in His words regardless of the agonizing setbacks we go through. We make God our steady anchor, a constant companion through life's inevitable highs and lows.
How Can We Abide in Christ?
We can abide in Christ by staying rooted in His words. Being attuned and mindful of God’s words can help foster an unbreakable bond with Him—allowing His truth and infinite wisdom to permeate our hearts and minds.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJV)
Carving out some quality time with God is also one of the ways we can deepen our connection with Him. Just like in any relationship, when words grow scarce, our bond with our Maker can be severely frayed. Thus, let’s set aside time for prayer and worship, seeking His guidance in every endeavor and worshiping Him even when life is seeped with setbacks and sorrows.
God is the wellspring of our lives. He sustains and fuels us with ardent passions to make a huge impact not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others, enabling us to live out our life’s purpose and calling, triumphantly preventing the enemy from veering us off God’s path.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Aaron Burden
