Besetting sins are habitual sins that individuals and groups are prone to commit repeatedly and have difficulty overcoming. The Bible warns believers against allowing certain sins to easily entangle and prevail in their lives. Besetting sins originate from the corrupt nature inherent in all people and manifest in addictions, passions and temporal desires that war against the soul. Through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and intentionally pursuing holiness, believers can gain victory over besetting sins.
The Sinful Nature
The Bible teaches that all people are born with a sinful nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve (Romans 5:12). This inward corruption and bent toward evil produces thoughts, words and actions that displease God. The apostle Paul described the struggle between man’s dual nature of spirit and flesh (Romans 7:14-25). A key characteristic of the sinful nature is its tendency to gravitate toward specific sins based on temperament, personality and habit. If not resisted through the Spirit, these inclinations can form strongholds that control a person’s life.
Examples of Common Besetting Sins
Scripture and human experience reveal certain patterns of habitual sin:
Pride – An inflated view of oneself and achievements that fails to acknowledge God (Proverbs 16:18, 1 John 2:16). This sin plagued the Pharisees.
Idolatry – Worshiping a false god or elevating anything above the true God (1 Corinthians 10:14, Colossians 3:5). The Israelites repeatedly fell into this.
Covetousness – An excessive desire for more possessions, wealth or status (Luke 12:15, Ephesians 5:5). Example: Achan in Joshua 7.
Lust – Perverting God’s gift of sex through pornography, adultery, fornication, etc (Matthew 5:28, 1 Peter 2:11). Example: David’s sin with Bathsheba.
Gluttony – Overindulging in food, drink or entertainment (Proverbs 23:20-21, Philippians 3:19). Example: The excessive feasting of Israelite leaders condemned by Amos (Amos 6:4-6).
Anger – Unrighteous anger, bitterness, hostility and vengeance (Ephesians 4:31, James 1:19-20). Example: Saul’s obsessive anger and murderous threats toward David.
Sources That Produce Besetting Sins
Besetting sins flow from the following sources:
Our corrupt nature – Man’s inborn propensity toward sin produces tendencies that require great vigilance (Romans 7:21-23, Galatians 5:17).
Temptations of the world – Enticements and philosophies in culture can inflame sinful passions (1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4).
Schemes of the devil – Satan actively promotes habitual sins in attempt to destroy lives (Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8).
Effects of habit – Sins indulged in and repeated frequently can gain strength and controlling power through force of habit. Like chains, they become harder to break over time (2 Peter 2:19-20).
Besetting Sins Enslave and Entangle
A besetting sin tightens its grip on a person’s soul when entertained and left unrestrained. Scripture uses terms like “enslavement” and “entanglement” to describe the powerful hold these sins can gain:
“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness…But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:20, 22).
“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4).
“Do not be idolaters…Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:7, 14).
“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God” (1 Peter 2:16).
These verses indicate believers must not allow sinful practices to prevail and control them. Through the Spirit, Christians have power to gain freedom from entangling sins.
Besetting Sins Defile and Harm
Besetting sins inflict great damage upon one’s relationship with God and others when left unrestrained:
– They defile conscience, quench the Spirit, and grieve God (1 Corinthians 8:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30).
– They give the enemy an opportunity and invitation to wage war (2 Corinthians 2:11, Ephesians 4:27).
– They suppress the effective working of God’s word (Mark 7:20-23, 1 Peter 2:1).
– They ruin personal holiness, virtue and witness (2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 1:27, Titus 2:11-12).
– They can bring God’s discipline and chastening (Hebrews 12:5-6, Revelation 3:19).
– If persisted in, they can lead to sickness, personal ruin and even death (1 Corinthians 11:30, Galatians 6:8, James 1:15, 1 John 5:16).
Putting Off vs. Putting On
Scripture instructs believers to “put off” besetting sins as an old way of life and to “put on” righteous practices through the Spirit’s help:
“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).
“Put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander” (1 Peter 2:1).
These texts charge Christians with decisively renouncing besetting sins and nurturing habits of righteousness empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believers must take responsibility for their actions while depending fully on God’s grace to transform the heart and mind.
Scriptural Warnings
Several sobering Scripture passages warn what can happen if believers allow besetting sins to persist and take root:
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions” (Romans 6:12).
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26).
These verses underscore the importance of resisting sins before they gain mastery through repeated indulgence. Believers must avail themselves of the Spirit’s sanctifying power through prayer, God’s Word, fellowship and accountability.
God’s Provision to Overcome
Through his death, resurrection and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus has provided believers the power to gain victory over besetting sins:
– “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
– “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us” (2 Peter 1:3).
– “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
– “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
The way of escape from entangling sins is through clinging to Jesus, immersing oneself in Scripture’s promises, and availing oneself of all the Spirit’s resources for holy living. As Colossians 1:11 exhorts: “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” This requires intentionally “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and “making no provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14). As believers walk closely with Christ, his grace breaks the grip of besetting sins.
Practical Steps to Overcome Besetting Sins
Here are practical biblical strategies for gaining freedom from prevailing sins that so easily entangle:
– Regularly examine your heart and confess besetting sins (Psalm 139:23-24, 1 John 1:9).
– Plead Christ’s blood over your conscience and mind (Hebrews 9:14, 1 John 1:7).
– Avoid tempting situations; flee lusts (Genesis 39:12, 2 Timothy 2:22).
– Ask God to reveal root issues fueling your struggle (Psalm 19:12-13).
– Fill your mind with Scripture; memorize key verses (Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2).
– Cultivate righteous habits through obedience and self-denial (Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 4:7).
– Maintain vigilance, sobriety and earnest prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Peter 4:7).
– Pursue accountability; confess sins to others (James 5:16, Hebrews 3:13).
– Rely on the Spirit’s empowerment to use self-control (Galatians 5:16, Titus 2:12).
– Rest in Christ’s sufficient grace amidst defeats (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
As Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Sanctification is a planting of Grace and not a pulling up of weeds: Sanctification is the cumulation of all virtues and not the death of the old man.” Through abiding in Christ, the Spirit transforms from within.
Conclusion
Besetting sins are deeply rooted inclinations toward sin that repeatedly entangle believers. These flow from man’s corrupt nature, the world, the devil and habit. If left unrestrained, they gain mastery, defile the conscience, dishonor God and inflict manifold damage. But Scripture charges Christians to decisively renounce besetting sins through the enablement of the Spirit. As believers avail themselves of God’s grace and pursue holiness, Christ’s strength is made perfect in their weaknesses. Empowered by the indwelling Spirit, Christians can gain increasing victory over the sins that so easily entangle.