By Sometimes it feels like we are forever just fighting sin and getting nowhere. But already, fighting sin and getting nowhere is significantly better than what happened before God saved us. We need to keep fighting sin so we can be holy, but when the fight seems more real than the holiness, do not despair, for at least we are still fighting. When we stop fighting, then the tendency of sin wreaks havoc with our souls.
Take for example the tendency of sin that had its way with Cain. It all started with a little damage to his ‘self-esteem’ (Gen 4:5). Then, God even intervened with Biblical counsel (Gen 4:6-7)! But by disregarding the fight against sin, sin lead Cain to commit even more sin (Gen 4:8). Again, God intervened with an opportunity of repentance, but Cain scoffed at the confrontation (Gen 4:9). And so sin brought Cain to condemnation (Gen 4:10-12).
The tendency of sin is always to take some desire that we cherish and use it to bring about all kinds of other sins. The tendency of sin is to ignore counsel and even direct confrontation. Sin always ends in chaos. James 1:14-15
each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:14-15
Fight sin, for even if you feel like you are not getting anywhere, you are already not getting to the chaos and destruction that sin always tends to.
Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
Jonathan Edwards, Resolution #56