Forsaking Habitual Sin

“When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.’” (John 8:9-11 NLT)

When Jesus spoke these words to a woman who sold her body for money to make a living, what do you think He meant when He told her to “sin no more”? Is He suggesting she perhaps cut back to 3 or 4 days a week? Is prostituting herself less going to be the answer? Of course not! So why do we think we can “prostitute” ourselves in service to Satan by doing what pleases us and still believe God thinks it’s okay?

He doesn’t now nor will He ever! Habitual sin MUST be dealt with in a decisive and determined way. Do you believe for a minute the woman mentioned above ever questioned herself or wondered how she’d survive? Call me crazy, but I don’t think she ever looked back. My sense is she stayed so close to Jesus nothing else could draw her away.

That’s what it takes for each of us, intimacy with Jesus is the answer to every wrong desire and the key to breaking every ungodly habit. The only question we need to answer is this: “What do I want more, my sinful, ungodly lifestyle or Jesus?”

Just like the woman caught in “the very act of adultery,” you and I have a choice to make: life or death? Her literal life lay in the balance when Jesus stepped in to save her. So is ours if we’re caught up in some form of habitual sin.

Let’s say we’re addicted to pornography, homosexuality, any form of immorality, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gossip, or overeating? Some people can walk away and never struggle with those things again. Their faith in Christ is strong enough to believe He will deliver them, and He does. But many cannot, or, at least, think they cannot. Then what? We get help. “Yeh, but shouldn’t Jesus be all the help I need?”

A mother was trying to comfort her frightened child, so, she told him: “When you’re scared just know the Lord is always with you.” To which he responded: “Yeh, I know, but sometimes I need Jesus with skin on!” Sometimes we do too. And when we’re dealing with habits that are addictive and destructive we need someone who has walked the journey before us, but who, by God’s grace has overcome it and is continuing to live in freedom from it to walk with us. But there are some conditions.

The woman could have said to Jesus: “Lord, I appreciate what you did, but you don’t own me. I don’t want Your help; I’ll take it from here” and she could have gone back to her old ways. Sadly, He would have allowed her to do that, the same as He’ll allow you or me, but that courageous woman put her life into His capable hands and trusted Him to walk with her on her journey, and because of that we’ll meet her in heaven.

We have to make the same decision – to commit everything we are to everything He is, then trust Him to lead us. My sense is, He’ll do for you what He did for her, put you in touch with godly people who will walk with you step by painful step. For some it may mean hospitalization in a facility that can have the means available to help you through your withdrawals or whatever other side effects may need to be dealt with. But whatever it is, if you’re serious about your walk with the Lord, go to your Pastor or a godly friend, confess your need and seek help together.

Commit to do whatever it takes to leave your life of sin behind. You’ll be eternally grateful that you did, knowing the Lord will lead you and be with you every step of the way.

Blessings, Ed 😊