4. How To Stage A Comeback When I’m Setback By My Own Sin

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

IDENTIFYING & understanding The two types of sin:

1. The sin I am unaware of when COMMITTING it.

Who can know all his errors? Please do not punish me for the sins I am unaware of. Psalm 19:12 (NET)

• This type could be described as oblivious

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:6-7 (NIV)

• Oblivious sin is met with God’s grace of pardon & conviction.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

1 John 2:1 (NIV)

The Lord sent Nathan to David… 2 Samuel 12:1a (NIV)

2. The sin I AM fully aware OF when COMMITTING it.

Who can know all his errors? Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of. ¹³ Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins; do not allow such sins to control me. Then I will be blameless, and innocent of blatant rebellion.

Psalm 19:12-13 (NET)

• This type could be described as conscious
• Conscious sin can be met with God’s grace of discipline.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.
Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10b-11 (NIV)

NOTE: God’s discipline is meant to develop not destroy.

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. ¹⁷ All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 1 John 5:16-17 (NIV)

• Conscious sin can be met with eternal judgment.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (NIV)

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV)

how can i be sure i am met with the grace of discipline?

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:6 (NIV)

…that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV)

HOW DO I COMEBACK FROM A SETBACK INITIATED BY MY SIN?

1. i affirm the goodness of God.

God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful…

   Psalm 51:1a (ICB)

Then I prayed this prayer: “Lord, God of heaven, you are the great and powerful God. You are the God who keeps his agreement of love with people who love you and obey your commands.

Nehemiah 1:5 (ERV)

2. i ask god to forgive

…wipe out all my wrongs.² Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again.

Psalm 51:1b-2 (ICB)

3. i accept personal responsibility.

• Accepting responsibility includes confessing my sin.

Against you – you above all – I have sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight…
Psalm 51:4a (NET)

• Accepting responsibility includes owning my consequences.

…So you are just when you confront me; you are right when you condemn me.
Psalm 51:4b (NET)

Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. ¹⁰ From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own. 2 Samuel 12:9-10 (NLT)

NOTE: It’s hard to develop godly children while despising God.

Before I ·suffered [was humbled], I ·did wrong [wandered], but now I ·obey [keep; guard] your word.

Psalm 119:67 (EXB)

4. i address my character.

…I was conceived in wickednesses; and my mother conceived me in sins.

Psalm 51:5 (WYC)

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7 (NIV)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part [of my heart] You will make me know wisdom.

Psalm 51:6 (AMP)

5. i reaffirm my commitment.

Give back to me the deep delight of being saved by You; let Your willing Spirit sustain me. ¹³ If You do, I promise to teach rebels Your ways and help sinners find their way back to You. ¹⁴ Free me from the guilt of murder…Now my tongue, which was used to destroy, will be used to sing with deep delight of how right and just You are.

Psalm 51:12-14b (VOICE)