How Faith Changes Your Relationship to Sin

He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Peter 1:4

Where does corruption come from? What would need to change in order for our world to become truly free, just, and loving? Some people will tell you that it comes from lack of education, lack of opportunity, or lack of resources.

But Peter says corruption in the world is caused by evil desires. Envy, greed, lust, pride, and laziness are the kinds of desires that are in us and that corrupt us. That’s why you find corruption in people who have education, opportunity, and resources, as well as those who don’t.

God promises that all those who have faith ‘escape’ from this corruption. You may be thinking, Escape? What do you mean by ‘escape’? I’m a Christian, and I have an ongoing battle with lust, or greed, or pride, or envy. I struggle with evil desires all the time!

If you understand your position as a Christian believer, it will help you make sense of your experience. You’re like a fugitive. You’ve been released from captivity to sin by the power of Jesus Christ. You’ve escaped. But Satan, who once held you captive, is always after you.

Satan is “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He wants to get you back in chains, but God is with you and He will protect you. Sin is your enemy, but it is no longer your master (Rom. 6:14).

Are you struggling to make sense of your experience? Are you clear about your position as a Christian?