“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Temptations for some sins are definitely more difficult to overcome than others, such as drug or alcohol abuse, and gambling addiction—not to mention addictions to sex and porn. Then there are temptations for unhealthy coping mechanisms such as self-harm, maladaptive daydreaming, and other harmful behaviors.
If we're having a hard time resisting the same sins over and over, does that mean we're not saved anymore or were never saved in the first place? It can be really scary to think that we might be able to sin so badly or so much that God would revoke His promises.
If you don't read the rest of these words, please at least read this: A Christian cannot lose their salvation (Romans 8:38). Our salvation is unrelated to our ability to resist sin because it's a gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). God's ability to hold you in His hand is infinitely stronger than your sin (John 10:28-29).
Assurance Despite Sin Struggles
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Of course, the goal is to get rid of that sin in our lives. Some days, it might seem impossible. Maybe it feels like that right now. That's OK—you aren't expected to be perfect or overcome every temptation immediately. Until then, there are things you can do to reinforce an assurance of your salvation:
Confession
Even if you don't have the desire to fight right now, don't let yourself believe or accept that the sins you've made a part of your life are OK. Ask God to soften your heart toward His will (Psalm 51:10; Psalm 139:23) and transform your mind (Romans 12:2).
Don't Blame God
It's not God's fault that you sin (James 1:14). It's not wrong if God allows you to continue struggling with a certain sin. He may be doing something that you can't see yet (Romans 12:12). Even so, keep praying that He'll deliver you (Job 40:1-5) and take responsibility for your own actions (James 4:17).
Consider Where You're Growing
You may be in the depths of a harmful addiction, but perhaps you still find yourself more dedicated to pursuing integrity. Maybe you're in a death loop of habitual sin, but you're trying really hard to be more compassionate.
Don't minimize the severity of your sin, of course, but don't spiral into self-hate either. Notice the ways that God is working in your life and be encouraged (Philippians 1:6).
God Hasn't Left You
Reject the lie that God has abandoned you. Your heart may be so hardened that you've brought great sorrow to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), but that doesn't mean He's left you. God will never leave those who belong to Him (Hebrews 13:5).
Remind Yourself of the Gospel
Go over the basics of salvation regularly. Make sure you fully understand the gospel. Rehearse the truths about Jesus' offer of forgiveness. Salvation comes through God's grace—not your efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9). You can't lose salvation. God isn't finished with you.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
You're Safe & Secure
God will never take away the salvation of a Christian who is caught in ongoing rebellion against Him. There are things you can do to remind you of this truth, so be mindful of those and keep them at the forefront of your mind. Nothing can separate you from God's love—including your sin (Romans 8:38-39).