Title: How to deal with repeated sins
2 Kings (30) How to deal with repeated sins
(2 Kings 13:1-13)
< Repeated sins of several kings >
In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became the eleventh king of northern Israel and reigned 17 years (v. 1). Jehoahaz did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who made Israel sin (verse 2). ‘Jeroboam’s sin’ is the sin of idolatry, which made the golden calf to be set up and served at Dan and Bethel. In the end, God was angry and caused Hazael, king of Syria and his son Ben-hadad, to be abused (verse 3).
When Jehoahaz prayed because he could not overcome the abuse of the king of Syria, the Lord heard his request and sent a savior to save him (verses 4-5). However, Jehoahaz turned away from the grace of salvation and still did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, that is, the sin of idolatry, and the people were almost annihilated (verse 6). The first time I worshiped idols, it ended as a punishment that was abused, but when my prayers were answered and I committed a sin, it was almost completely destroyed. If we take advantage of God's great love to lighten our sins and continue to fall into them, one day we will face even greater trials.
In the end, Jehoahaz dies as a failed king, and his son Joash becomes the 12th king of northern Israel (verse 9). It was the 37th year of Joash, the 8th king of Judah, and for a short time at that time, the name of the king of Judah in the south and Israel in the north was Joash. King Joash of northern Israel was king for 16 years, and he too fell into idolatry (verses 10-11). Because of that sin, war continued (verse 12). After that, King Joash of northern Israel also died, and his son Jeroboam II became the 13th king of northern Israel (verse 13).
< How to deal with repeated sins >
If you look at the text, the sin of idolatry is repeated from generation to generation. What should we do to deal with the problem of recurrent sin, especially the problem of personal habituation? Let's consider three ways to deal with sin in relation to the Triune God.
1. Be confident in God's love
One day, a churchgoer went to see a movie, and unexpectedly saw a lewd movie and prayed with guilt. "God! It got my eyes dirty. My thoughts were dirty. Forgive me!” It was good so far, but it went too far and I even thought about it. “What if an accident happens tomorrow because of that sin? What if children are kidnapped!” It is not pleasing to God to be filled with fear and terror in that way.
When we fall into guilt over repeated sins, Satan and his enemies encourage it. “If you’re going to live like that, don’t go to church!” Then, “Right! If you want to live like this, let's stop going to church!” is to fall into Satan's tactics. No matter how lacking you appear, if you believe in “Still, God loves me” and continue to seek God’s grace and make up your mind to a new life, even if you fall, the day will come when your sins will be cleansed.
2. Take Jesus as your guide
Why is the fervor for education in Korea so high? If you look closely, there is also this psychology. “You can’t live like me!” High education zeal is a sign of parental inferiority The diagnosis of educational psychologists is quite plausible. Many parents are disappointed when their children do not live up to their expectations. It is especially disappointing to see them imitate their own ugliness. If you like your face, you like it, but if you look like your personality, you usually hate it. In fact, parents who want their children to resemble their own style and personality are those who lead successful lives.
Of course, each person is unique and must live the original life, not the copy life. You must be faithful to the characteristics of your being like that, yet have a good model and guide in life. However, no matter how great a person is, learn from him, but do not follow people too much. Ultimately, only look to Jesus and live. If you take Jesus as your guide and model, be faithful to the question “What would Jesus do?” and make a good life a habit, your ability to deal with habitual sins will also increase.
3. Seek the Grace of the Holy Spirit
Some people easily talk about a person who commits repeated sins. “How can a person not reflect like that? People are fundamentally bad.” But don't treat someone as a bad person who is different from you because of the fact that he has a sin that you can't stop. Because we are human beings with original sin, we repeat that sin. The fact that man has original sin means that everyone, including himself, is fundamentally evil.
Habitual sins are difficult to break by one's own strength. It is especially difficult to break free from the family where the energy of sin overflows from generation to generation. Still, it is not impossible to deal with habitual sins. Above all, the Holy Spirit who dwells in the saints must give us the strength to overcome our habitual sins. Therefore, do not be arrogant enough to easily criticize others for the problem of sin or to overcome sin easily by yourself, but earnestly seek the grace of the filling of the Holy Spirit. When the soul is groaning with guilt, the Holy Spirit comes and binds up the wounds of the soul caused by sin, and only then can the soul gain true light and freedom.