“Being convicted by the Holy Spirit is like being nibbled to death by a duck.”
I’m not sure who penned this powerful quote, but it’s one example of how the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to deliver us from sin. Conviction of sin isn’t a popular topic for a blog post, but this spiritual phenomenon is oddly comforting. Feeling uncomfortable when we sin is evidence that the Holy Spirit lives inside us—and this is grounds for celebration.
Sin before Christ
Before I was a Christian, I could sin and it didn’t bother me. I’d feel an occasional pang of regret, usually when I got caught, but for the most part, I enjoyed my sin. After all, if sin wasn’t fun, why would anyone do it?
Sometimes I’d feel guilty. Other times I’d wish I hadn’t done it, usually when I experienced the negative consequences of my wrong choices. My conscience might sound a weak alarm when I stepped precariously close to a danger zone, but I could usually rationalize it away.
Sin after Christ
When I surrendered my life to Christ, however, I gained a powerful ally—the Holy Spirit. In ways I can’t explain, this third person of the Godhead went to work in my life. Like Molly Maids the day before my in-laws came to visit, the Holy Spirit went to work cleaning my spiritual house.
The first thing the Holy Spirit pointed out was the music I listened to. Those words glorify extra-marital sex, drugs, and drinking. Do you really want to fill your ears with that? Then He pointed out my skimpy bathing suit. And some of the books on my bedside table. And the TV show I loved to watch every Friday night.
That first sweep through my spiritual house as a new believer was a deep clean. He got rid of a lot of the big uglies.
In the years since, he’s continued to point out areas of my life that are contrary to his best for me.
Anger? Doesn’t accomplish God’s purposes. Fear? Cannot coexist with faith. Apathy? Lukewarm is nauseating. Selfishness? Consider others as better than yourself.
What I find especially interesting is how, when I dig in my heels in rebellion and am unwilling to change, I only hurt myself. The very things I cling to are the same things that make my life miserable.
11 Symptoms of Sin Sickness
King David experienced this as well, and describes how awful we feel when we are disobedient to the Lord. He lists 11 symptoms of sin sickness in Psalm 38:
1. The sharp conviction of sin. “Your arrows pierce me deeply” (v. 1).
2. A feeling of profound heaviness. “Your hand presses me down” (v. 1).
3. Physical weakness. “There is no soundness in my flesh” (v. 3, 7). “I am feeble and severely broken” (v. 8).
4. Sickness. “. . . nor health in my bones” (v. 3).
5. The feeling of carrying a heavy load. “My iniquities . . . like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me” (v. 4)
6. Physical and spiritual injuries, possibly the consequences of sinful choices. “My wounds are foul and festering” (v. 5).
7. A disturbed spirit. “I am troubled” (v. 6).
8. A defeated heart. “I am bowed down greatly” (v. 6).
9. Deep sorrow. “I go mourning all the day long” (v. 6).
10. Gastric distress. “My loins are full of inflammation” (v. 7).
11. Inner turmoil. “I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (v. 8).
Rebellion Causes Consequences
This list is a sobering wake up call to the fact that sinful rebellion carries more consequences than just the results of our actual sin. I’ve experienced many of these symptoms when I’ve chosen to ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit when He points out an area of sin in my life.
When I stubbornly hang on to my pet vice, I’m miserable. I have difficulty praying, because I know my sin stands between me and God. I avoid reading my Bible, because God’s Word continues to call me to repentance. I feel anxious, fearful, and guilty. I’m less likely to talk about spiritual things with others, because I know it would be hypocritical. And my sleep is disturbed.
Why, oh why, do we resist the Holy Spirit when all he’s trying to do is make us more like Christ? The more Christ-like we become, the more we’ll experience joy, peace, patience, satisfaction, and spiritual fruit. It’s a win/win scenario. He cleans the junk out of our lives and replaces it with treasures.
Is It Time to Examine Yourself?
If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms I’ve listed above, maybe it’s time to examine yourself to see if there’s sin in your life. If there is, confess it quickly and accept God’s generous offer of forgiveness and restoration.
The Cure
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Then, once you’ve confessed and forsaken your sin, allow the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead to transform your life (Rom. 8:11-13).
Cleansing and Restoration are only a prayer away.
Have you ever experienced the symptoms of sin sickness? Have you experienced the cure that can only come from God? Leave a comment in the box below and share your thoughts.
Amen Ms. Lori! Often, I’ll recognize the symptoms post-mortem as I’m so wrapped up in the moment of sin that I push right through that “check in my spirit” that warns of danger ahead. It’s the afterwards that hurts the most for me because that’s when I realize I chose to ignore what the Holy Spirit was guiding me to do, or not do. Had never heard this expressed as “sin sickness” before, but I think it a common malady for Christians today. While there’s no cure for it, at least until we are glorified on that day, there are preventative measures we can take to minimize our risk and its impact and consequence. Thank you for reminding us of both prevention and recovery methods needed to overcome the “ailment of humankind.”
Oh, J.D., I am guilty as well. Sometimes I hear the Lord nudging me, but choose to ignore it and go my own way. As Paul said, “Oh wretched man that I am, who can deliver me from this body of sin and death?” and then these blessed words: “Thanks be to Jesus!” I’m so glad He left us with the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Thanks for being such an engaged reader friend. God’s blessings to you today.
I’m so glad I found Lori Hatcher! I have read three of her books and can’t wait for the next one to come out. I also read her blog once a week. There was a devotion titled “Do You Tawk Funny?” In “Hungry for God. . .Starving for Time” that really hit home in a funny way. We were vacationing on Cape Cod and when I called to make reservations for whale watching, the woman said that we might want to come early so we could PAHK THE CAH. Being from Ohio, we still laugh about it. Every devotional I read has something that speaks to me!
Oh, Kate, I’m smiling with you. Yep, there’s nothing like the Yankee accent. Some days, mine still pops out, especially when I’m home in RI. Thanks for your kind words. So glad you’re a part of the Refresh family of readers 🙂
Dear Lori I can’t tell you how much I needed to read this as. I would say I had a good marriage. I went to work in a factory and ended up having an short affair. My husband has completely forgiven me. We moved out of state and it’s been 5 years since it happened.
I’m on antidepressants but for past year I have been taking a pain pill to help with my anxiety. Until I stop this I have a block between the me and God. I have all the symptoms of sin sickness. It’s going to be very hard getting off this medicine and rehabs not an option. I’m such a hypocrite. I hate what I’ve done and now I’m doing this. Please pray for me