I am drowning in the flood of my sins; they are a burden too heavy to bear.

Psalm 38:4 (GNT)

We are all like Eve. We all get lured by the lies of the enemy that make us doubt and tell us that sin is no big deal. So we test the waters slowly. We dip our toes into sin just a little ways, and it feels good. So we wade in up to our knees, and soon we’re up to our chins. But before we know it, that pleasure the enemy promised turns to pain, delight turns to destruction. Suddenly the water turns too cold to bear, but we no longer have the strength to resist, so we get pulled under. We kick and fight and try to stay above the water, but we can’t find the sin-fighting tools we used to hold close. The sin that once felt so perfect has now pulled us in over our heads. And like Eve’s sweet fruit, it now fills us only with guilt and fear. It becomes like heavy bricks tied to our feet. It fills our lungs with icy water. It drowns us in shame. 

What “fruit” is tempting you? What sin has you fighting for breath? Perhaps you have tried in vain to save yourself in your own power. Maybe you have struggled and fought with all your might, but it seems to just drown you faster. And the harder you try, the greater the shame. That’s exactly where Satan wants you: uselessly fighting to breathe! He doesn’t want you to catch your breath at all; he simply wants you to give up and surrender to a lifestyle of daily sin and heavy shame. 

The only solution to sin is Jesus! If you are in or approaching dangerous waters, cry out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” He will reach right out and grab your hand. (Matthew 14:29-31) When you confess to Him that you are tempted to dip your toes, or that you are in too deep with sin threatening to steal your last breath, that sin loses its power. The bricks will fall away, your lungs will fill with air, and Truth will walk you right out of the cold darkness into the warm, life-giving light of Christ. Hold tight to His hand and His Word, so you can stand against any sin and live in freedom. You are loved! 

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 1:8-10