How many times can you admit to saying, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” or, “I wish I hadn’t said that.”? I could not count the times I’ve muttered those words.

There I was, sitting there afterwards. Guilty of doing something dumb or offensive or sinful. KNOWING FULL WELL what I did was wrong or neglectful or spiteful or vengeful or hurtful to another. Yes, the Holy Spirit convicted me before I acted. He told me what I was about to do was wrong. Knowing there would be repercussions for me, or hurt for someone else. AND I DID IT, OR SAID IT, ANYWAY!

Why do we do that? Why, when we know full well what we’re contemplating doing or saying is sinful, do we do it anyway?

Then after its over, whatever it was, I get pelted with guilt and shame and regret. Satan has a field day chastising me, telling me I’m not worthy and God’s not going to be happy with me.

Then, at times, I repent and tell God I’ll never do it again, knowing that I probably will.

It’s at that point I have to make a choice. I can help Satan beat up on me and guilt me into a dark place I don’t want to go. Or, I can confess my sin to God, whatever it was, and agree with Him that my sins tarnish the intimacy I have with Him. Then remind myself that God already forgave me that sin on the cross of Christ. Remind myself that I am forgiven and accepted fully as a precious child of the King. Realize that in and of myself I can not stop the sinning on my own. God is the only one who can remove sin from me as I surrender to Him and His sanctification process.