Lapses into Sin
1. When we have spent many years fighting our evil inclinations,
praying, and forming resolutions, it saddens us when we fall into grave
sin once again. A lapse like this can be very discouraging and can make
us feel that it is impossible to resist temptation. We may even feel
that we are not destined by God to enjoy everlasting happiness. This is a
very dangerous temptation which could
lead us into ruin. It is part of the tactics of the devil to tempt us to
sin and, when we have fallen, to persuade us that our fall was
unavoidable and that we may as well resign ourselves to sinning because
we are predestined to hell.
Predestination is a gigantic
theological problem which has tormented the minds and consciences of
many. It is a difficult question, but in practice it can be answered in a
few words. It is certain that “God... wishes us all to be saved.” (1
Tim. 2:4) It is certain that God became man and shed His precious blood
for our salvation. How then could we be predestined to hell? How could
we be denied the graces necessary for salvation? Our constant falls do
not indicate that God has abandoned us, but show that we have abandoned
Him. If we sincerely do everything of which we are capable, God will not
deny us His assistance.
2. Away, then, with all thoughts of
discouragement. Let us ask humbly for forgiveness every time we fall,
for God understands our weakness. Then let us begin again with
confidence in God's grace.
But why, we may ask, does God permit
us to fall time and time again without giving us the grace to resist?
In such a case we must accept the mystery of God's dealings with us. God
often allows us to fall in order to humble us and to make us realise
that we are powerless without Him. Pride is often the cause of our sins,
and our pride must be curbed. “God resists the proud, but gives grace
to the humble.” (Cf. James 4:6) Instead of giving in to discouragement,
therefore, we should acknowledge our own weakness and pray again to God
to help us.
3. There are other explanations for our repeated
lapses into sin. Sometimes we do not resist temptation immediately and
it takes root in our souls. We may neglect to pray for God's assistance.
We may have neglected to avoid the occasions of sin and have played
about with danger. We may not be sufficiently determined to make any
sacrifice rather than commit sin.
Let us consider our lapses
and we shall discover that they can be explained in one of these ways.
There is no need to lose confidence in God, therefore. Rather should we
renew our good resolutions and reinforce them by constant prayer. Nobody
who prays continually can keep falling into sin.
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