How to Get Free of Secret Sins and Thrive in Christ
Learn how to get free from secret sins even if you want to stay in it right now. Get a journal and go through these eight key points for victory.
You know the saying, “You can’t understand someone until you walk a mile in their shoes”? Well, I’m not writing this because I’m perfect, better than you, or a know-it-all. This is my calling: writing about thriving in Christ. And this post? I’ve walked a mile in these shoes. Many miles, actually. (I’m older than I look.)
My Battle with Secret Sins
The first time I got serious about getting free, I was tired of myself and miserable in my besetting sins. Do you know what a besetting sin is? It’s a sin that you keep falling into repeatedly.
What were my secret sins? I’m not going to get into that because this isn’t a post about what is and isn’t a sin.
After sinning, I would confess it to God. But these were the ones that didn’t come and go like a door-to-door salesman tempting me to buy-in; They were habitual residents of my heart.
I knew these sins that I had refused to deal with were the kind that were stopping me from growing well. I had allowed sin to grow in my heart like a weed, and God showed their ugliness to me.
Living with willful sin is like weeds in a growth competition against a healthy plant. I resolved to let Him uproot my weeds.
Living with willful sin is like weeds in a growth competition against a healthy plant. #ThrivingInChrist
The Consequences of Allowing Secret Sins to Fester
For he knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21b ESV
In the Bible, David was up against Goliath, the giant. Staying in secret sins is like letting a giant stay around to torment you. David said the battle is the Lord’s in 1 Samuel 17:47 because he was trusting in the God he knew, but that didn’t mean he did nothing!
He chose the stones, put them in his sling, went running TOWARD the giant, and threw the stone. God made sure it landed in the precise spot that brought the giant down.
If you have a giant in your life, you do something about it. If not, then there will be consequences in both the natural and the spiritual.
- Natural consequences. It hurts you. It hurts others. (i.e. porn will negatively affect a marriage/opens door to lying/lust/adultery/and more)
- Spiritual consequences. Sin separates us from God. (i.e. If you are habitually envious and don’t deal with it, you’re going to go downhill spiritually.)
Grace is not a ticket to blow off God’s commands. It means you are provided a way of forgiveness, help, and strength to be victorious over it.
In the Bible, David was up against Goliath, the giant. Staying in secret sins is like letting a giant stay around to torment you. #ThrivingInChrist If you have a giant in your life, you do something about it. If not, then there will be consequences in both the natural and the spiritual. #ThrivingInChristHow to Get Free of Secret Sins
“You can’t defeat the demons you enjoy playing with.“ —Carlos A. Rodríguez
It’s time to forsake that secret sin that’s seeped into your heart. That means you need to deal with this issue before it deals with you and not in a good way. Right?
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13 ESV
So get your journal and go through these eight points below.
Respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
As there is a battle between your flesh and your spirit and right now your flesh is winning, He’s causing you to recognize the need for freedom from this stronghold. You need God; you can’t do it in your own strength or power. While the conviction of the Holy Spirit is uncomfortable, it’s full of love and gentleness—yet simultaneously exciting and freeing. God’s plan is to provide hope out of your mess.This issue doesn’t have to define you forever.
Confess your sins (1 John 1:9).
You might have already confessed this to God, but I want to encourage you because we don’t always think the way God thinks. Read that verse because it’s full of His promises to you. Don’t allow condemnation to overtake you. The Holy Spirit convicts; the devil condemns.
Put on some anointed worship music.
A part of you might want to stay in your secret sin. Let’s be real. After I confess my sins to God, I don’t necessarily want to walk away from my sin forever. Sin gives a temporary pleasure. That’s where most of the battle is, sometimes. But I noticed something in 1 Samuel 16:13 and 23 one day. David was anointed before he played for Saul. He played for Saul under this anointing and three things happened to Saul:
- Refreshing. Saul was refreshed, which means revive there. Do you need revival?
- Healing. Saul received healing, and he wasn’t necessarily seeking it.
- Deliverance. The evil spirit departed from him. No one had to cast it out.
Go on a Fast.
Fasting also breaks yokes of bondage. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6. See my post on the benefits, how-to’s, and why’s of fasting.
Put a plan together.
Psalm 119:11 says that if you hide God’s Word in your heart you won’t sin against Him. Gear up for battle. What one, two, three (or more!) verses are you going to pick out, memorize, pray, and say when that temptation hits? Worksheets to help with this are in Insider Resources.
Make changes where needed in the natural.
Ask God for wisdom on what to do about this. Remember, He gives a generous outpouring of wisdom to those who ask—it’s a promise (James 1:5).
Consider accountability.
Get a trusted person to cover you in prayer and encourage you when you are feeling weak. We thrive with accountability.
Now it’s time to thrive spiritually.
Don’t let this hinder you. Instead, guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23). Keep a Daily Time with God and regularly nourish your spirit to overcome temptations. Continue to grow and make amazing memories with God.
Daily struggles don’t mean God loves you less. Kick shame to the curb and receive His grace. It’s not about living without error, it’s allowing Him to grow us into a great spiritual maturity so He is glorified.
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Other Great Posts in the Thriving in Christ Series:
- What Does It Mean to Thrive in Christ?
- What a Thriving Disciple of Christ Does and Doesn’t Do
- Use Psalm 1:3 to Keep a Spiritually Healthy Heart
- How Desensitization Keeps You from Spiritually Thriving
- How to Get Free of Secret Sins and Thrive in Christ (Even if You Want to Stay in It)
- 27 Ways Your Good Shepherd Helps You Thrive
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I really needed this today. So ma’am internal struggles that I have learned to accept over time. God definitely want to free me, and I must continue to abide in Him so that He can.
*many
*wants (didn’t proofread before hitting publish)
I’m so glad it’s helpful, Brittany! Praying God continues to encourage you!
The key to dealing with sin is to first realize that it is an affront to God. Both Joseph (with Potipher’s wife) and David in Psalm 51 realized that sin was first done to God. When we want to honor the Lord for all that He has done to for us through Christ and continues to do for us through the presence of His Spirit, then sin becomes offensive to us, because we realize our ingratitude and selfishness and offense to the Lord God Almighty. Thanks!
Well said, Karen! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Freeeedom! : )
Thanks, Kelly. This is such a helpful, to-the-truth post. It feels ugly to admit we have sins we like and demons we like hanging out with. But, it’s true. And God helps us when we humbly face the music and tune in to His will. Repentance is ultimately a beautiful, joyful thing! Thanks for this!
I feel the same way about repentance! It doesn’t have to be the dreaded thing we so often look at it as. 🙂
Oh, this will preach. I’ feel like I’ve been to church instead of sitting in my room with my laptop. I love how you gave us the scriptural basis but also practical steps to get free! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. Visiting you from the Fresh Market Friday link-up. laurensparks.net
It’s what I do. So glad to have you visit, Lauren!
I love how perfect God’s timing is. This is such a timely read for me. I am challenged and convicted, and I’m glad I read this when I did. At a time and season where it’s important for me to receive the faith and grace God gives His children and conquer those giants.
On a side note, I love how beautifully written this piece is. Thanks for sharing, Kelly! I’m glad I read this.
Thanks for letting me know how it helped you Joanna! I’m happy to hear it!
I was feeling convicted of some secret sins just this morning, so this post is very timely for me. Thanks for this last point about thriving. Sometimes I struggle with not living in the grief of my sin. I know Jesus has forgiven me, so I need to accept that forgiveness and not feel guilt or shame when I seek that forgiveness! Visiting from #TeaAndWord. 🙂
Yes, celebrate the moving forward in spiritual growth instead of staying stuck in condemnation! Be blessed, Emily!
An excellent post on a difficult topic. I often tell my kids that when they confess secret sins, when they actually put words to it, it’s power over them is released. But the longer we keep them hidden, the more power they have over our lives. My son was struggling with something recently and when he finally confessed, I told him that if he had come to me right at the beginning, I could have told him that what he was doing wasn’t really a sin – but he thought it was, so he was ashamed. Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth, Kelly.
Oh, bless him! So grateful for the grace and forgiveness of God. Thanks for stopping by, Aimee!