sin and forgiveness

“So, when are you due?” I asked.

The shock on her face was clear, but it quickly changed to anger. Looking me in the eyes and leaning in close, she pursed her lips and said, “I’m not pregnant.”

I’m not quite sure why, but the woman never came back to church. Ever.

I’ve prayed over the years that my foolish comment wasn’t a hindrance to her faith. Despite the utter stupidity of my question, I’ve prayed that the Lord eventually healed her feelings and that she’s accepted Christ.

I still cringe when I think of that brief conversation when I first started preaching. In fact, in case you’re wondering, I never—never—comment or ask about a woman’s pregnancy unless I’m absolutely, positively sure she’s pregnant. And even then I’m very hesitant.

There’s no way I’m going to make that mistake again.

And yet, in other areas I do make the same mistake over and over again. True confession time: I have a handful of areas where I’m susceptible to sin. What those areas are is none of your business, but just when I think I’m doing well in one or more of them, I stumble. I sin.

Based on my experience, I’m not the only one with a handful of areas that cause me to fall on occasion. Maybe you can identify.

It’s during those times, when our humanity gets the best of us, that we need to read—and believe—what the Bible says about our sins.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1

This verse doesn’t give us carte blanche to sin and then confess it, as if we’ve got the Lord over a barrel. I’m of the opinion if our confession isn’t sincere or if we have every intention of doing the same thing right away, I’m not so sure the Lord’s going to forgive.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.”2

But the Lord does forgive repentant sinners, those who truly recognize and admit their sin and have a sincere desire not to do it again.

So what are your weak spots, those areas where you’re prone to sin? And please don’t give me that, “I don’t have any weak spots.” That’s a bunch of baloney. Even the best of us have soft spots in our holy armor. I know what mine are and I’m betting you know what yours are as well.

Now that everybody’s uncomfortable, let’s deal with reality.

Number one, admit those problem areas to God and yourself. Two, ask God to help you not to give in to those weak spots. Three, be extra diligent to be holy in those problem areas. Four, when you sin—notice I said “when,” not “if”—confess it, thank God for your forgiveness and start the cycle all over again.

While some may regard my suggestions as “giving in” or being unnecessarily soft on sin, I believe it’s being realistic. After all, we’re only human and we won’t stop sinning until we’re with the Lord in heaven some day. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

While the Lord may completely deliver us from a sinful pattern, in my experience the area often remains a minefield of potential problems down the road. Think of an alcoholic who, despite being sober, still craves a drink, even years later.

Will I ever assume that a woman is pregnant again without knowing for sure? I can say with a bucketful of confidence that I won’t make that mistake again. Ever.

But other mistakes, alas, I’m not so sure about. They’ll be with me as long as I breathe air on this earth. And I’m guessing you’re the same way.

So when we fail—not “if” but “when”—let us “confess our sins,” for “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1  1 John 1:9

2  Psalm 51:17