Create in me a Clean Heart

How often is it that we have a sin (or more than one) in our lives that keeps, and keeps on recurring? We all have something in mind that we know we struggle with constantly. It could be your pride, it could be your selfishness, it could be an addiction to pornography, it could be a quick temper, it could be so many more things.

But what do we do when we have such a recurring sin in our lives? Do strive to constantly fight it, or do we give up after a few tries because it doesn't seem to work. Or do we just not bother at all, because 'that's just a part of me, I can't help it'. The unfortunate thing is that most of us will admit to the latter. We either give up and cease the fight, or not even try at all.

But this is so WRONG!!! While our human nature tells us if something is too hard then maybe it wasn't meant to be, this is not the way we, as Children of God must follow. Our human nature is our enemy, don't obey it, but rather obey God and His commands.

God teaches us that when we encounter such difficulties we ought firstly to bring them to Him in prayer. Tell God about them. He is eager to hear. Let Him know what it is you struggle with, let Him know how easily you fall into the same sin again and again.

And then ask Him to heal the sin. And ask this believing that He can. So often we pray doubting the results. And yes, its true we often don't know the outcome, however, we must never doubt God. God CAN heal us, He CAN take away that sin. There is absolutely no doubt about that. The doubt however lies with you. Are you willing to fully put away that sin? Or do you still wish to hang on just a little bit?   Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters for we will either "hate the one and love the other, or else [we] will be loyal to the one and despise the other." We "cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

This passage makes itself quite clear and yet it is so hard to do completely. Yet the command remains: we cannot serve two masters.

So how do we put away this sin? We must detest and truly desire to be cleansed from it. Allow God's Spirit to work renewal in your life. Do not hinder it by turning back to that sin, but resist your sinful nature. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). And at the same time be willing to work. Change doesn't come without work. And although we acknowledge that God works all things in us through His Spirit, remember, nothing will happen if you just sit back waiting.

Act NOW!!! Pray NOW!!! Let the Spirit do His work NOW!!!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me away from Your presence, 

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

Psalm 51:10-12