Four Types of Besetting Sins and Three Reasons to Avoid Them!

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What is a besetting sin?


A besetting sin is anything that dethrones the legitimate ruler of our hearts. 

Basically, a besetting sin is an idol. 

If you are a believer, you have chosen to allow Jesus Christ to sit on the throne of your life.  He is the only rightful ruler of any human heart, and any attitude or action that disturbs His presence there, at the center, is a sin.  When that sin is allowed to remain, it becomes a habit, or a besetting sin.

Besetting sins begin with an attitude.  Sometimes a heart attitude, itself, is the sin, and other times the attitude leads to actions that are sinful.  In any case, when the attitude becomes engrained in our spirits, it becomes a besetting sin.

Ø Pride is the mother of all sins.  Pride puts the self on the throne, and so is the ultimate expression of sin.  It's the sin that was, and still is, Satan's downfall, and it's the one we have the most trouble with.  Pride is probably the basis of most sinful attitudes. 

Ø Worry or fear is pride refusing to trust God, hanging on to our own ability to fix things in our lives or the lives of others we love.  My worry about finances is an example of this kind of fear. Worry is rejecting the reality that God is lovingly sovereign in our lives and in this world.  Ultimately, it's rejecting Him.

Ø Lust replaces God's lordship in our lives with physical comforts.  It's turning to inadequate substitutes for the peace and joy He wants to give us.

Ø Obstinacy is another form of pride that refuses to soften, or give in to God or to others.  One of the most dangerous manifestations of obstinacy is a stubborn refusal to forgive others for wrongdoing against us.  An unforgiving heart is a diseased heart that will lead to physical or mental disease if it's not dealt with.

So why should we be concerned with besetting sins? 

We should care about besetting sins for three reasons:

The first is our own well-being.

Ø Besetting sins, or idols, make us miserable. 

Come to me and I will give you rest--all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke--for it fits perfectly--and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.  Matthew 11:28

Let' face it.  The most powerful incentive for change in our lives is discomfort.  We are self-centered people.  We are constantly seeking our own happiness and comfort.

That's not a bad thing.  It's a reflection of what God wants for us.  He loves us.  He created us for joy and peace.  That's why, when we feel uneasy or unhappy, we instantly think something's not right. 

Lack of peace and joy is a sign our lives have gotten off center--out of kilter.  And the only way to remain in the peace and joy God has intended for us is to make sure He remains on center stage in our lives.  We won't be happy with anything less.

The second reason we should be concerned about besetting sins is for the benefit of others.

Ø God's purpose for us is to bless others. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.     Philippians 2:3-4

When we are plagued with besetting sins, our attention is on our own misery and our energies are expended on fixing our own problems.  We have no time to think about others, and how we might be used in building up their peace and joy.  

God means for us to minister to others--those who are fellow believers and those who are still outside God's family. Being used by God to lead others into His joy and peace is one of the reasons He created us, and nothing contributes more to our own well being than fulfilling that purpose.

There is no greater joy than introducing peace and joy into another person's life.

The third reason for avoiding besetting sins is probably the most important one. 

Ø Our peace and joy gives God pleasure.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.    Jeremiah 29:11

God loves us. 

Let me repeat that one more time: GOD LOVES US! 

Why is that so hard for us to believe?  God means good for us.  Only good.

The Westminster Catechism says that the "chief end" of human beings is "to glorify God (display His beauty) and enjoy Him forever."  Our joy and peace is God's ultimate goal for our lives.  When we are happy, God is happy. 

As we come to know God, and begin to experience Him in all His goodness, our hearts yearn to make Him happy--to glorify Him--to reflect His beauty.  So, though our initial reason for dealing with our besetting sins is selfish, our ultimate reason is God's delight.  When that reason becomes uppermost in our hearts, besetting sins will not have a chance to survive in our lives.


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