Part of having a regenerated heart is hating sin as much as God does, but what happens when a Christian does sin? Well first there is going to be true, godly sorrow:
2Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
If we have a regenerated heartart, the heart will be sorrowful after a godly manner, that we went against His rules for us, which are for our good. That we trampled the name of Jesus under foot and mocked Him on the cross the one who died so we would not have to suffer the consequences of sin. Meanwhile those with the unregenerate heart is sorry after the manner of the world, i.e. they are sorry they got caught. They are not sorry over the sin, the trouble they caused, but that they are sorry after the manner of Cain who did not care that he killed his brother but that his punishment was too tough to bare!
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we confess our sins. If we acknowledge our wrongs. Our angers, hurts, lust, coveting. If we bring our sins before Him, confessing them, sorrowful over committing them, seeking not to do them again, He can and will forgive us our sins.
But we need to go beyond that. I don’t know about you but I get tired going around the same mountain over and over again. I want victory, not continuously falling to the same sin.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Step two is to get into the scripture with the thought of God I want you to deal with this sin in my life. Too many of us get the “Super-Christian” attitude that says “I know I am a sinner” in one breath and in the next says “I never done anything wrong.” We acknowledge in our heads the thought that we must be sinners saved by grace because we would never have the audacity to call ourselves perfect and make ourselves equal with God but in practicality that is what many do. I know at least two people who have this trouble and it can be annoying talking to them. I love them. The question is: what is God working on in your life to improve you, to make you more like His Son. If you cannot answer that, it is gut check time.
Once we allow God to show us what we need to work on in our lives. Let God’s Holy Spirit guide you to scripture, memorize it, hide it in your heart. Meditate on it, allow it to become a part of you. Apply it, live it. Let God be God.
Watch what you think on. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. -Proverbs 23:7
If we dwell on the good, that is what we will become but if we dwell on the evil, that is what we become. If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you are right. The thoughts precede the action. Allow your mind to think on the Good.
Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
True - In speech. Honest - In action. Just - With regard to others. Pure - With regard to yourselves. Lovely - And what more lovely than truth? Of good report - As is honesty, even where it is not practised. If there be any virtue - And all virtues are contained in justice. If there be any praise - In those things which relate rather to ourselves than to our neighbour. Think on these things - That you may both practise them yourselves, and recommend them to others.
This excerpt is from the my teaching notes A Matter of The Heart. Use the link to read the entire article.
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