Know Your Sin

John Owen once said that a believer who knows his sin is a solid, useful believer. Derek Thomas also said that sin will creep it's unwelcome head anywhere at anytime. The Bible tells us that no temptation has come on us expect what is common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13). Even Jesus was tempted yet was without sin. Every Christian has their own sin and temptations. The question is, do you know your sin? Do you know what triggers it? Jonathan Dodson, in his book, Gospel-Centered Discipleship, addresses the issue of knowing our sin by helping us ask three questions when it comes to our sin: What, When, and Why?

What: "Before you can fight your sin, we must know what sins are currently present in our lives. An unknown opponent is difficult to defeat. Knowing sin requires familiarity with our particular temptations, areas where we are prone to sin."

When: "When are tempted to sin? If we don't think about the when, sin will sneak up on us. Consider the circumstances that surround your sin, where and when you find yourself tempted. Identify your sins and the circumstances of temptation."

Why: "The why question is important because it gets to the motivation behind our sin; it addresses the heart. No one ever sins out of duty. We all sin because we want to, because our hearts long for something. If we don't address the motivational issues behind our sin, we will not only treat it superficially, adjusting our behavior, not our hearts."

Recommended Reading: Mortification of Sin by John Owen