If I’m Dead to Sin, Why Do I Still Struggle with Sin?

Sanctification

I once heard an older pastor reflecting on his life and ministry. He had recently turned seventy, and someone asked him if anything surprised him about crossing that milestone. Without hesitating, this senior saint answered, “I thought I’d be more sanctified by now.”

I wonder if you’ve ever thought the same thing.

After all, the New Testament says some striking things about our relationship with sin. In Christ, we have been delivered from sin’s penalty. Through his once-for-all sacrifice, Jesus paid the price our sins deserved and bore the wrath we should have faced (Heb. 9:25–28). Covering us with his perfect righteousness, he made us righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). In Christ, we are no longer guilty in God’s sight.

Also, in Christ, we have been delivered from sin’s power. Imagine a medieval castle with high walls, a drawbridge, and a moat. A hostile army approaches, but it can’t get in. But then, tragically, someone inside the city lowers the bridge and opens the gate, allowing the enemy to rush inside. This is what happened in the garden of Eden. Adam opened the door, and sin broke into the world. “Sin came into the world through one man” (Rom. 5:12).

And having entered the world, sin began to reign (Rom. 5:21). We see the evidence of sin’s reign all around us. Sin is the cause of every bit of disease, disaster, discord, decay, and death that plagues us. Creation itself groans in its bondage to corruption (Rom. 8:20–22).

And sin’s throne is firmly fixed within the human heart.

We know this, even if it’s hard to admit. Our hearts are deceptive and “desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9). Out of our hearts flows a whole host of evils (Matt. 15:19). No one needs to teach us pride, selfishness, anger, or lust. These things come naturally to us because sin rules over us.

But when we come into union with Christ, a new ruler takes the throne. None of us had the power to overthrow sin’s tyrannical reign. We were slaves to sin, but Christ came and set us free (John 8:34–36; Rom. 6:20–22). Jesus stormed the castle of our hearts, kicked sin off the throne, and established his rule. He causes us to be born again and gives us a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit to flee from temptation and pursue godliness (Gal. 5:16).

This change is so dramatic, Scripture says that we have “died to sin” (Rom. 6:2).

But this leads to a question often raised by discouraged believers. It goes something like this: If I am dead to sin, why do I still struggle with sin? If my captivity to sin’s tyranny is over, why do I still give in to sin’s demands?

The answer is that although sin’s penalty has been paid and sin’s power has been defeated, sin’s presence remains in the life of every believer. And until this life is done, sin will continue to tempt us.

We All Need Reminders!

In the busyness of life it’s all too easy to forget who God is, what he has done for us, and who we are because of him. Crossway wants to help! Sign up today to receive concise Scripture-filled, gospel-saturated reminders that will encourage you and strengthen your walk with Jesus.

Indwelling Sin and Ongoing Temptation

When Christ saves us, he knocks sin off the throne of our hearts and takes his rightful place as Lord of our lives. Yet it’s important for us to remember that while sin is a defeated enemy, sin remains an ever-present enemy. And until its dying breath, this enemy will continue to allure us and entice us, by stirring up twisted desires within us (James 1:14).

This is the painful reality of indwelling sin. And this is why Paul urges Christians in Romans 6:12, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.”

Think about that word “passion.” Why do we sin? If we know something is wrong—if we know the pain it can inflict on others, the shame it can lay on us, and the dishonor it can bring to the Lord—why do it? Why does temptation come to us with so much power?

Here’s the truth, if we’re honest enough to admit it: We sin because we want to. In the moment of temptation, sin looks appealing.

We see this dynamic at play in the world’s first sin. Why did Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit? Did they fail to trust God? Yes. Did they listen to Satan? Yes. But they also “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise” (Gen. 3:6). Adam and Eve sinned because they wanted to. They desired the fruit. Temptation stirred up a passion within them. And they gave in.

Jesus stormed the castle of our hearts, kicked sin off the throne, and established his rule.

Even though we are united to Christ, we sometimes give in too. Until we are released from sin’s presence—until we arrive in heaven—we will continue to feel the pull of sin’s passions. But since we are united with Christ, we can resist these passions with new fervor. We are no longer slaves to sin who are bound to obey what it commands. We are saints in Christ who are blessed to obey all he commands (Ps. 119:1–3).

And the more we walk with Christ and experience that blessing, the more sin will lose its appeal. We can truly say with the Psalmist,

I delight to do your will, O my God;
     Your law is within my heart. (Ps. 40:8)

When temptation comes, admit to yourself, “I want to do this! I desire to sin!” Then pray, “Lord, with all the strength that is mine in Christ, help me hold back my feet from every evil way in order to keep your word, for your testimonies are my joy” (cf. Ps. 119:101, 111).

Union with Christ and Unshakeable Hope

Many times, our ongoing struggle with sin is a source of discouragement. But Christians have an unshakeable hope: our union with Christ. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “There is nothing, perhaps, in the whole range and realm of doctrine which, if properly grasped and understood, gives greater assurance, greater comfort, and greater hope than this doctrine of our union with Christ.”¹

Why is that true? It’s true because when God brings you into union with Christ, he will not let you out.

In Christ, we are justified—sin’s penalty is paid. In Christ, we are being sanctified—sin’s power is broken. And in Christ, we will be glorified—one day, sin’s presence will be no more. God will complete the good work he has begun in us (Phil. 1:6). Though our striving for holiness is fraught with difficulty and disappointment now, he will sustain us to the end. He will make us pure and blameless, and we will stand before the presence of his glory with great joy (Jude 24).

One day, he will sanctify us completely (1 Thess. 5:23).

So let the doctrine of union with Christ disperse the clouds of doubt and discouragement from your heart. We can rest assured of our salvation because we are united to our Savior.

He set us free from the tyranny of sin, called us to live in service to him, and will not let us go. He is making us fruitful, pruning what is evil from our lives and producing what is good. He has guaranteed our future, promising to bring us through this life and into the glories of the life to come. We are safe and secure in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Brad Wetherell is the author of Saved to Sin No More: How Union with Christ Empowers a Life of Holiness.

Related Articles