By Minister Sonnie Robinson

Every Christian faces a big challenge: How do we live a holy and pure life in a world full of sin and evil? The Bible gives us clear ways to handle this struggle. We can act as the world’s conscience, confront sin in the church, and deal with sin in ourselves. Let’s break this down step by step.

1. Be the World’s Conscience

In Romans 2:15, Paul says Christians are like a conscience in the world. Just as a conscience guides a person, Christians are called to live in the world and show others what is right and wrong. This separates us from the world’s ways, even though we live among them. By staying faithful to God, we remind the world of His judgment and truth.

2. Confront Sin in the Church

It’s easy to focus on the sins of the world, but the Bible says we should first address sin within our own church family. In 1 Corinthians 5:13, Paul tells Christians to deal with worldliness in the church. If we ignore sin among believers, our message to the world loses its power.

Here are some Bible verses that guide us:

• Matthew 18:15:   Handle personal issues or sins one-on-one.
• Romans 16:17:    Avoid people who create conflict or lead others astray.
• 1 Corinthians 5:1-8:   Paul tells the church to confront sexual immorality.
• Galatians 6:1:     Help restore someone who has fallen into sin.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6:  Stay away from people who ignore Christ’s teachings but encourage them to change.
• 1 Timothy 5:1-20:      Paul gives Timothy advice on dealing with difficult members, including elders.
• Titus 3:10:          False teachers should be warned and corrected.
• 2 John 10:         Protect your family and church from heretical teachings.

It can be uncomfortable to confront sin, but it keeps the church pure and shows the world we take our faith seriously.

3. Confront Sin in Yourself

The hardest battle is often with our own sin. In Romans 7, Paul talks about his own struggle. Even though we are saved by Jesus, we still fight against sin because we live in a fallen world. This struggle doesn’t mean we’re failing—it shows we are alive in Christ.

Here’s how to deal with sin in your life:

• Understand that the struggle is normal.  Every Christian is tempted. Don’t let Satan discourage you or make you feel like giving up.
• Face sin head-on.  Paul explains that the fight against sin takes effort. Trust in Jesus every day. He already paid for our sins on the cross, and He helps us live for Him now.
• Accept that life in this world is hard.  We won’t be perfect until we’re with God in heaven. Until then, we rely on Jesus to strengthen us and forgive us when we fall.  Living a holy life isn’t easy. Even Paul cried out, “Who will save me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).  But he also gave the answer: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

• The struggle is a good sign. If you feel torn between living for Christ and the world’s temptations, it shows God is working in you.
• God gives you strength. Jesus is with you every day to help you keep going.  So don’t give up. The struggle is proof that you belong to Christ.  One day, the fight will end, and we’ll live with Him forever.  Amen.

Don’t forget to check here again next month for a new article as we open a conversation for a ‘Discussion that Matters!’