Sin, feelings of guilt and numbness

Someone asked on my youtube video today about the fact hat he feels guilty for not wanting to stop drinking.  I’m posting my answer because i believe many face similar issues with besetting sin or addictions.

If you feel guilty about not wanting to stop drinking, it means that your struggle is complex. You may think that you should feel guilty, but the numbness you feel when you give in to temptation and drink might be stronger. It’s common to feel guilty when our actions conflict with our beliefs. However, this guilt is not necessarily from God but is often the result of our own conscience.

“Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;” (Romans 2:15 KJV)

What matters is not how you feel, but your faith in Jesus and his finished work. You can find acceptance and freedom from sin through faith in his blood. Fellowship with God is not based on our feelings, but on our knowledge of Christ’s finished work. As we grow in this knowledge, we can stand increasingly in Christ and find certain sins falling away from us. (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14, Colossians 2:13-14)

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Colossians 1:13-14 KJV)

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:13-14 KJV)

We can’t overcome sin on our own. Only Christ can overcome sin, and he did so in his death and resurrection. He provides the freedom that we obtain only in relationship and fellowship with him. We tend to think that we can’t have fellowship with him until we overcome sin or produce the right feelings about it. But fellowship with God has nothing to do with our feelings; it’s based entirely on the work of Christ and is only available to us through faith in the finished work of Christ, faith in his blood. (Romans 7:18-20, Romans 8:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:57)

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18-20 KJV)

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (Romans 8:3-4 KJV)

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV)

We need to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and what he accomplished through the word and learn to fellowship with God on the basis of our knowledge of that finished work. Then we can stand increasingly in Christ, in the spirit, and in the atmosphere of liberty that Christ purchased for us. As we do, we’ll find that certain sins fall off of us not as a result of overcoming the sin, but as a result of looking away from the whole situation and no longer trying to “purchase” something with our feelings, vows, or resolutions. (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1)

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1 KJV)

We need to keep pursuing the knowledge of the truth and asking the Lord to reveal himself to us. Over time, we can grow into the freedom he purchased for us. It’s also essential to pay close attention to what kind of theological food we’re allowing into our diet. We can’t mix law and grace and expect to have any kind of deliverance. We need to stand squarely and solidly in grace and shut out any teaching that contradicts the bountiful supply of Christ as the source of everything in the Christian life, until we’re fully convinced that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and there is no other way that will work. (John 14:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:10-14)

“For I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16 KJV)

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:10-14 KJV)

Sensationalism is usually the source of legalistic teaching that just perpetuates bondage. So we need to shut down channels that deal with sensationalism, which we tend to gravitate to when we’re bored and despairing. Instead, we should focus on the Gospel and keep litsening to those who minister the word of life.. By growing in a deeper understanding of his love and grace, we can find the strength to overcome our struggles and find true freedom in Christ. (Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 4:15-16

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18-20 KJV)

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (Romans 8:3-4 KJV)

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV)

“For I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16 KJV)

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:10-14 KJV)

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