As Christians we often have an acute sense of our failures, knowing immediately when we have failed to obey the Lord. Knowing how to change, however, can be more difficult. We don’t want to keep disobeying but aren’t sure how we can stop ourselves from indulging sinful desires the next time they arise. Take a moment to read Nehemiah 9:6.
Notice their focus as they pray: the Lord! True repentance begins by ripping the focus of our hearts away from the sin that so easily entangles and re-focusing on God in all of his glory and majesty. If sin is the process of elevating ourselves to the place of God and deciding that we know what is best for us, repentance is the process of abdicating the throne as we realize that “You alone are the Lord.” When our hearts are focused on God, sin is infinitely less appealing.
How can we really change so that we don’t keep sinning? Repent! Shift the focus of your heart, of what you love and desire, back toward God. Remind yourself of who he really is—glorious, majestic, sovereign, wise, good, and on and on! Remind yourself of what he has done for you—brought you from death to life, redeemed you from slavery, made you a son or daughter! Remind yourself of the inevitable conclusion of all of history—he will be our God and we will be his people, we will see him face to face, and he will reign in glory forever and ever!
Prayer/Challenge
God, show me the desires that compete for control of my heart. Help me see you for whom you really are that I might not sin against you.
