Getting free from compulsive sins (Part 3)– Pursue Healing

To quickly review -- getting free from compulsive sin involves

1. Believing (Part 1) – Faith in the Cross and the New Birth
2. Transparency (Part 2) – Walking in the light with God and trusted friends
3. Pursuing healing.

Pursuing Healing

The language of the New Testament is interesting with respect to dealing with sin. Paul uses the analogy of “putting off” the old man and “putting on” the new man – like clothing. In Romans 6:11 he exhorts us to “reckon yourself dead to sin”. In other places his advice is towards sin is simple: “repent and stop doing it” (Col 3:5,8). Thanks Paul, that’s helpful! 

It can be kind of frustrating because in some areas of our lives, we can see quick results. We see our sin, see what’s behind it, we’re convicted and we repent. And just like that, our repentance “sticks”. We no longer struggle with that problem – as addicting & enjoyable as it once felt. There maybe a few slip-ups, a month or two of wrestling, but then it’s over.

Other issues are not so simple. It seems like we’re on an endless treadmill of repenting and failing.

In dealing with compulsive sin I recommend focusing on healing – not primarily on tracking, suppressing or restricting behavior. These may be helpful for other reasons, but usually don’t help with getting & staying free.

Focus on healing, not behavior

Why are some sins compulsive? My experience is that this is not necessarily related to the perceived “addictiveness” of sin (sexual or chemical dependency). There are people who simply stop doing these kinds of things too, almost instantly.

I believe that compulsive sin is typically rooted in a cluster of emotional issues deeply related to our identity. It’s like the enemy of our souls (over many years) has hammered lies into our self-conception. He has taken moments of pain and trauma and used them to defame God. These lies are not easily dislodged. Some of these distortions are now part of our worldview – the lens we see the world through…

Our repentance does not “stick” because there are deeper issues and motives behind our behavior. This is why there needs to be a cyclical process, going deeper each time.

Do you get it? God wants to heal you, so your inner person is changed – not just your outward behavior. Our inner life matters more to him than our behavior.

In fact, in some situations, the closer you get to the “heart” of the issue, the worse your behavior becomes. It only makes sense! You feel more pain the closer you get to the real wounds behind your behavior.

So how do we navigate this process?

Here are some “don’ts”…

• Stop accounting:  I’m convinced that keep track of “how long I’ve not messed up” is not helpful. It is behavior & performance focused, not healing focused. We feel a false sense of security because of “length of sobriety” and if we crash we are reset to “zero” status instantly, so we feel crushing disappointment.
• Don’t pin your hopes on avoidance: Boundaries are great to help with the healing process, but they don’t address heart issues. You can avoid bars if you have a problem with alcohol, but what if you have a spending problem? Are you going to avoid money? Jesus said “IF your eye or hand CAUSES you to sin, pluck it out”. Jesus us talking about our hearts! It’s an attitude shift he’s after – “whatever it takes, no matter how painful or costly, I will radically deal with the things that are causing me to sin”.

On the positive side of things…

• Pursue emotional healing: Usually this is not just a single issue – often it is a cluster of closely related issues you need to work through. Ask God to remind you of specific incidents and get help praying through them. Learn to repent thoroughly and release forgiveness to those who’ve hurt you. Learn to forgive, and extend mercy to yourself. Reconcile with people you need to. The goal of emotional healing is a tender heart and restored relationships.
• Seek deliverance: Where there is a loss of control in your life, be aware that there maybe demonic oppression. There is no shame in this! The enemy takes advantage of our most painful and weak moments to sneak in and stab us. He never fights fair. Learn about deliverance -- and every time you fall, pray deliverance over yourself. It’s not as hard or scary as you think – it’s very simple, in fact. Often oppression is just a “cranking up” of sinful desire – when this is broken, things go back to “normal” levels. Remember: Your sin or failure does not give the enemy the right to oppress you, and you always have the authority to break free in Christ.
• Focus on truth: There are lies we believe that need to be exposed and replaced with God’s promises and sin’s consequences. God has a future for you, rich with satisfaction –  whereas sin will always give you temporary pleasure and produce long-term devastation and death. Remind yourself of your identity as God defines it through his word.

The Helper

The Holy Spirit is your helper in this process – track with him.

Is he pointing to a inner-healing issue? Focus on that.

Is he speaking to your identity through prophetic ministry? Receive it and store it in your heart.

Is he showing you how sin devastates peoples lives? Let it fill your heart and mind as a warning.

The Spirit is incredibly creative – he can use dreams, visions, movies, music – to reveal and heal hurts. Listen to his voice and simply obey him.

One quick note: When the Holy Spirit encounters you for healing, often you may feel “out of control”. Intense emotional reactions are common – tears, laughter, groaning -- as he touches and restores parts of your inner person. He is undoing in minutes, the things that the enemy implanted in you over months and years. I recommend letting him have his way no matter how embarrassing it feels. Don’t worry if people around you do not understand – the fruit in your life is the best proof of God’s working. He is sovereign and he chooses the moment, not you. Yield to him, however he comes.

The Last Word:

Jesus died a painful and horrifying death, identifying himself completely with sin, in order that we may live in freedom. He wants you free so you can serve him fully, with no restrictions.

God can restore the years the enemy stole from you. Don’t let another week, month, year go by – get radical and pursue freedom, no matter what is costs you in the short-term.

Freedom is your inheritance in Christ, and it is within your reach! Take it!