Devotionals

Are You Too Focused on Sin?

by Michael Edwards 
07/12/26
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Many believers spend excessive time fixating on their sin and failures, but the New Testament calls us to a different focus. Sin has been fully dealt with on the cross for every believer in Christ. Our transformation into His image comes not by obsessing over the flesh, but by beholding who we are in Him.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NASB). On the cross, Jesus bore our sins completely. “And you, being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14, NASB). The debt is paid in full. God no longer counts our sins against us.

We are called to see our old self as crucified with Christ. “Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7, NASB). And again: “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11, NASB). The flesh—where sin dwells—is dead and will not inherit the kingdom. We are not called to perfect it through works so God will accept us. It was nailed to the cross with Christ. Our efforts to improve the old nature only lead to frustration and bondage.

Instead, we are perfected and sanctified in Christ. “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14, NASB). We are fully forgiven, complete, holy, and righteous in Him. The Bible describes us as new creations: holy, blameless, accepted, and seated with Christ in heavenly places.

True transformation happens by focusing on Christ’s glory. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NASB). You become what you focus on. Dwelling on sin strengthens its hold in your mind. Fixing your eyes on your identity in Christ—fully forgiven, perfected, holy, and complete—releases the Spirit’s power to conform you to Jesus.

The only way to defeat the flesh is to walk by the Spirit. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please” (Galatians 5:16-17, NASB). Walking in the Spirit by faith means meditating on who God says you are in Christ, thanking Him for the finished work of the cross, and trusting His indwelling life moment by moment. Focusing on your dead flesh and sin is walking by sight. Focus on Christ and who you are in Him. It is finished. 

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Gal 3:3 NASB

Beloved, stop staring at the grave of your old man and start living in the resurrection life of your new identity. The flesh is dead; Christ is your life. Focus on Him—fully forgiven, perfected forever, holy and sanctified in Christ—and you will grow into His likeness. Peace and victory flow from this grace-centered gaze, not from self-effort. Hallelujah, it is finished!