Freedom from the Cycle of Sin

- Pastor Dawson Oquist

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” – Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)

Have you ever found yourself in a cycle of following Jesus, falling into the same sin you've fallen into a hundred times before, repenting, and then following Jesus again? It’s an everyday struggle that is as infuriating as it is discouraging. We see the cycle in the Israelites throughout the Old Testament. Ezekiel offers a solution.

The book of Ezekiel reveals that behavior is rooted deeper. Our way forward, the key to living a different kind of life, the life Jesus has invited us into, requires a new heart and spirit. If we're going to make a difference, simply trying to be better won't help us. We need the Spirit of God living inside of us.

We need to submit to God fully. Take on his way of life, surround ourselves with a community of believers, and let God do his thing. Our focus needs to shift away from specific behaviors we're unhappy with to the stone that is our heart.

Make a Difference:

Pray like this: Lord, minister to my heart this week. I need your warm touch. Remove from my chest this heart that is prone to wander and fill me with the satisfaction of your presence. Amen.

As You Read:

The broken-down walls are not the cause of Israel’s problems; it is the consequence of their choices. Without change, Israel will constantly be ambushed and overrun. We see the cycle of sin throughout their history: in the wilderness, with the judges, and now in Ezekiel. We fall into that same pattern. What can you do to help break the cycle?